Migaama New Testament (MMYWBT)

Overview

The New Testament in the Migaama language of Chad, titled "Migaama Nabiinigeetee Aattí Kitamniti." Migaama is an East Chadic language spoken by approximately 20,000 people in the Guera department of the Guera Region of central Chad, with dialects including Migaama, Doga, Gamiya, and Dambiya [1][2]. The language is also known as Jongor or Dionkor [2]. The translation project began when a translation committee was formed in 2000, and the first publications appeared in 2001 as small booklets containing passages such as The Good Samaritan, Jesus Blesses the Children, and The Father who Forgives [3]. The completed New Testament was launched on 30 December 2021 in the village of Baro, Chad, in a celebration attended by over 500 people that included Scripture readings in Migaama, certificate presentations, singing, dancing, and a traditional horse race [3]. Emma Kuipers, serving with Wycliffe Bible Translators, worked with the Migaama translation team on the project [3][4]. Government officials and Muslim leaders participated in the dedication alongside Christian church leaders, and His Majesty Hamza Ahmat Maharep, the Chef de Canton Migaami, stated that "the word of God translated into our language can change lives" [3]. The translation is part of the broader Guera regional translation and Scripture use project, which serves a population of approximately 400,000 people across 26 languages in Chad's mountainous Guera region [4].

Language and People

Migaama (ISO 639-3: mmy) is spoken by approximately 2,000 people in Southwestern Chad. [Glottolog: miga1249]

Publishing and Organizations

Published by Wycliffe Bible Translators USA.

References