Kouya New Testament (KYFWBT)

Overview

The Kouya New Testament is the first Scripture translation in the Kouya language, an Eastern Kru language spoken by approximately 10,000 to 23,000 people in central Cote d'Ivoire, south of Vavoua and north of Daloa [1][2]. Translation work was carried out by two pairs of Wycliffe Bible Translators missionaries: Philip and Heather Saunders, followed by Eddie and Sue Arthur, who lived among the Kouya for twelve years, along with a total of six Kouya translators who participated at different stages of the project [3][4]. The New Testament text was completed and published in 2002, but a civil war broke out in Cote d'Ivoire just as the printed New Testaments arrived at the port of Abidjan, with the conflict's dividing line splitting the Kouya area in two and preventing distribution [3]. A formal dedication ceremony was finally held on 21 March 2012 in the village of Dema; tragically, three of the six Kouya translators had died before the celebration could take place, and copies of the New Testament were presented to their families in their honor [3]. The Kouya are one of the smallest and least known peoples of Cote d'Ivoire, and their language was declared among the most threatened on the planet in 2001 [2].

Language and People

Kouya (ISO 639-3: kyf) is spoken by approximately 10,100 people in Côte d'Ivoire. [Glottolog: kouy1238]

Publishing and Organizations

Published by WBT, [Orlando, FL]. Translation type: First.

References