Western Bukidnon Manobo Old Testament (MBBWBT)

Overview

The Western Bukidnon Manobo Old Testament was published in 2013 by Wycliffe Bible Translators, completing a decades-long effort to bring the full Bible to this language community [1]. Translation work among the Western Bukidnon Manobo began in 1953 when SIL linguist Richard E. Elkins started linguistic and anthropological studies of the people in the southwestern portion of Bukidnon Province, Mindanao [2][3]. Elkins and his wife Betty developed an alphabet system, established literacy programs, and translated the New Testament, which was first published in 1978 and later revised in 2000 with the assistance of Pastor Saturnino Linog for a second printing in 2001 [2][4]. The vernacular title of the Old Testament, "Is Lalag te Megbevaya," reflects the people's own name for their language [1]. The Manobo languages belong to the Philippine branch of the Austronesian language family, and the Western Bukidnon Manobo are spoken across the municipalities of Dangcagan, Don Carlos, Kitaotao, and Maramag in Bukidnon Province [3][5]. The translation has had a significant cultural impact on the community; as documented by Elkins, many Manobos turned from traditional spirit worship and embraced the Christian faith following the literacy and translation work [2].

Language and People

Western Bukidnon Manobo (ISO 639-3: mbb) is spoken by approximately 15,000 people in Southern Philippines. [Glottolog: west2555]

Publishing and Organizations

Published by Wycliffe Bible Translators USA. Translation type: First.

References