Kitap na Wassa — Saba (Jelkung) Scripture Portions (Chad)
Overview
Kitap na Wassa ("Book of God" — Kitap from Arabic Kitāb "book," Wassa = "God" in Saba) is a scripture portion in the Saba (Jelkung) language of Chad, published by Wycliffe Bible Translators, Inc. and available via YouVersion/Bible.com (ID 4396). The community's autonym Jelkung differs from the scholarly designation Saba; the title Kitap na Wassa reflects the Arabic-origin vocabulary (kitap/kitāb) characteristic of many Central Chadian languages that have been in contact with Islamic culture and Arabic trade language for centuries. Saba is classified within the Central Sudanic branch of the Nilo-Saharan language family — the same major branch as the Sara languages and the Bagirmi group of south-central Chad.
Language and People
Saba (ISO 639-3: saa; autonym: Jelkung) is a Nilo-Saharan language: Nilo-Saharan → Central Sudanic branch (Sara-Bongo-Bagirmi or related group). The Central Sudanic branch of Nilo-Saharan encompasses the Sara cluster (the largest ethnic group in Chad's south) and many smaller languages of the Chari River basin zone. Saba/Jelkung is a small Central Sudanic community within this broader language zone.
The Saba/Jelkung community inhabits:
- South-central or central Chad — within the Central Sudanic language zone of the Chari/Logone river basin area
- Chad's central regions, which transition between the Sahel (north) and Sudan savanna (south) climate zones
Estimated speakers: small to medium Central Sudanic community; precise data is limited.
Cultural Context
The Saba (Jelkung) community exists within the broader context of Chad's Central Sudanic language zone, a region that has experienced both Islamic Saharan influence (from the north and east) and Christian mission activity (from the south). The kitāb vocabulary in the title reflects centuries of Arabic contact in the region. Wycliffe Bible Translators has produced translations for multiple Central Sudanic and other Chadian languages, recognizing the diversity within Chad's approximately 120 languages. The Saba/Jelkung scripture portion provides an initial foundation for this community's engagement with the biblical text.
Publishing and Organizations
Published by Wycliffe Bible Translators, Inc. (wycliffe.org), founded 1942.