Nomaande 2008 Edition (LEMWBT)

Overview

Nomaande (also known as Lemande or Mandi) is a Southern Bantoid language of Cameroon spoken by approximately 20,000 people in the hilly forest-savannah region west and north of the Bokito subdivision in the Centre Region [1][2]. SIL International began working with the Nomaande community in 1981 with the goal of providing Scripture in the people's mother tongue [2][3]. Christianity was introduced to the Nomaande region in the 1930s with the arrival of Catholic missionaries, and approximately 69% of the population identifies as Christian today [1]. The New Testament, titled "Yɔɔ́sɔɔ́sɔ yí Bumbénú," was completed and published in 2008 through a partnership between Wycliffe Bible Translators and CABTAL (Cameroon Association for Bible Translation and Literacy), with the spelling revised in 2020 [2][3]. Bible portions had been available since 1994-1998, preceding the full New Testament [1]. The Nomaande community continues to face challenges including low literacy rates, and a full Bible translation has not yet been completed [1].

Language and People

Nomaande (ISO 639-3: lem) is spoken by approximately 6,000 people in Southwestern Cameroon. [Glottolog: noma1260]

Publishing and Organizations

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

References