Malila Bible (NT) 2020 (MGQWBT)

Overview

The Malila New Testament, titled "ULufingo uLupwa," was completed and published in 2020 as part of the Mbeya Cluster Project, a collaborative initiative launched by SIL Tanzania around 2004 that encompassed translation work in six neighboring Bantu languages in southwestern Tanzania [1][2]. The Malila were one of three language communities, along with Sangu and Vwanji, to complete their New Testaments in 2020 [2]. Translation consultant John Macaulay of Wycliffe Bible Translators worked on each of the Malila, Kinga, and Sangu New Testaments [2]. The translation was published in print, audio, and digital formats, with the audio Scriptures proving particularly important for the community, as a 2023 research study found that people comprehend Scripture better when presented in Malila rather than Swahili [1]. The Malila community is only about 30 percent Christian, with many following ethnic religions, making Scripture availability in the heart language especially significant [1].

Language and People

Malila (ISO 639-3: mgq) is spoken by approximately 78,000 people in Tanzania. [Glottolog: mali1279]

Publishing and Organizations

Published by Wycliffe Bible Translators USA.

References