Kayabí New Testament (KYZWBT)

Overview

The Kayabi New Testament, titled "Janeruwarete 'Ga Je'eg," was first published in 1999 with Bible portions available from 1986, and a revised edition was copyrighted in 2012 by Wycliffe Bible Translators [1][2]. The Kayabi (also known as Kaiabi or Kawaiwete, their self-designation) are a Tupi-Guarani-speaking indigenous people of central Brazil, primarily inhabiting the Xingu Indigenous Park in northern Mato Grosso state, with smaller communities along the Teles Pires River and in the Apiaká-Kayabi Indigenous Territory [3][4]. During the 1950s and 1960s, the majority of the Kayabi population was relocated from their ancestral territory between the Arinos and Teles Pires rivers to the Xingu Park through government-directed transfers, including a final airlift operation in 1966 [3]. The Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) produced foundational linguistic work on the Kayabi language, including Rose Dobson's practical grammar (1988) and published texts (1991), which supported the Bible translation effort [3]. As of 2020, the Kayabi population numbers approximately 2,734 people, with nearly all Xingu Park residents speaking both Kayabi and Portuguese [3][4]. No complete Old Testament translation exists; the New Testament remains the most extensive Scripture available in the language [2].

Language and People

Kayabí (ISO 639-3: kyz) is spoken by approximately 1,000 people in Central Brazil. [Glottolog: kaya1329]

Publishing and Organizations

Published by WBT, [Huntington Beach, CA]. Translation type: First.

References

  • [2] Kayabi in Brazil - Joshua Project. People group profile with Scripture translation status and timeline.
  • [3] [Kaiabi - Indigenous Peoples in Brazil](https://pib.socioambiental.org/en/Povo:Kawaiwete_(Kaiabi) (archived) - Instituto Socioambiental. Comprehensive ethnographic entry including history, displacement, SIL linguistic work, and population data.
  • [4] Kayabi language resources - Joshua Project. Language classification and Scripture availability.
  • BibleSearch (archived) - Online text, American Bible Society
  • Audio Bible - Audio Bible, Faith Comes By Hearing
  • NT - Online text, Faith Comes By Hearing
  • Janeruwarete 'Ga Je'eg - Online text, Wycliffe Bible Translators, Inc.
  • Global Bible Catalogue - Global Bible Catalogue entry.
  • ebible.org entry - ebible.org.