Maningaxan New Testament (MWKPOG)

Overview

The Maningaxan New Testament was dedicated on 14 June 2024 in Tambaga, a village located approximately 40 km from the town of Kita and 205 km from Bamako, Mali [1]. The dedication ceremony drew roughly 1,150 attendees including religious leaders, translation project partners, administrative officials, and village elders, with a symbolic procession in which revisers carried the New Testament in traditional dress [1]. The translation was published by the Alliance Biblique du Mali (Bible Society in Mali) in collaboration with the UBS Fellowship, Catholic and Evangelical churches, the Norwegian Protestant Mission (MPN), and SIL [1]. Only 2,100 copies were printed for the initial run due to funding constraints [1]. Plans are in place to translate the Old Testament and complete a full Bible before 2030 [1]. Before this translation, Maninkakan, Kita speakers relied on Bambara-language Scriptures, a related but distinct language that caused misinterpretation and confusion within the community [1]. The Malingaxan of Kita region is also known as Birgo, Kita Maninka, and Central Malinke; the language belongs to the Manding branch of the Niger-Congo family [2].

Language and People

Maninkakan, Kita (ISO 639-3: mwk), also known as Birgo and Kita Maninka, is spoken by approximately 451,000 people primarily in the Kita region of western Mali. [Glottolog: kita1267]

Publishing and Organizations

Published by Alliance Biblique du Mali (Bible Society in Mali). Translation type: First.

References