Rawang 2009 Edition (RAWRBC)

Overview

The Rawang 2009 Edition is a New Testament translation into Rawang, a Sino-Tibetan language spoken by approximately 63,000 people in northern Kachin State, Myanmar. The Rawang are one of seven tribes collectively known as the Kachin peoples, living in the mountainous townships of Putao, Kawnglangphu, Machanbaw, Nogmung, and Sumprabum. [1] The mass conversion of the Rawang to Christianity is considered one of the great mission stories of the twentieth century, driven largely by the work of J. Russell and Gertrude Morse and their family, who began missionary work among the Rawang in the early 1950s. [2] When the Morse family started their ministry there were no Rawang Christians; by the time they were forced to leave Burma in the 1960s, nearly the entire community had converted. [1] Today approximately 90% of the Rawang identify as Christian. [1] The Bible was translated into the Matwang dialect, which helped it become the lingua franca among the various Rawang dialect groups. [1] In addition to this edition, Bibles International began a separate Rawang New Testament and literacy project in 2012, working with translator James Synsar to produce a fresh translation. [3]

Language and People

Rawang (ISO 639-3: raw) is spoken by approximately 63,000 people in India, Map 5. [Glottolog: rawa1265]

References