Shekgalagari New Testament (XKVBSB)

Overview

The Shekgalagari New Testament is the first complete translation of the New Testament into Shekgalagari (Kgalagadi), the language of the Bakgalagari people of Botswana. The translation was launched on March 9, 2024, at a celebration held under the theme "Morimo o bola o logka o bua Shekgalagari boobo" — "God Speaks Shekgalagari too." The project represents the conclusion of a more than fourteen-year journey of translation and revision, producing more than 10,000 printed copies through Amity Press. [1]

Language and People

Shekgalagari (ISO 639-3: xkv), also known as Kgalagadi or Kgalagari, is a Southern Bantu language spoken by more than 78,000 Bakgalagari people scattered across Botswana. [1] The communities are spread across approximately 1,400 kilometers from north to south, with many settlements remote enough to require four-wheel-drive access. Shekgalagari is closely related to Setswana, the national language of Botswana, but is sufficiently distinct that speakers have historically relied on Setswana or other outside languages for Scripture — making the production of a heart-language translation particularly significant.

Translation History

The translation project was a collaboration between the Bible Society in Botswana (BSB) and Lutheran Bible Translators (LBT), with support from Faith Comes by Hearing, which produced an audio edition distributed alongside the printed New Testament. The translator teams worked across Botswana's vast distances, navigating the challenges of COVID-19 restrictions and the remoteness of participating villages. [1]

The Scripture Earth listing for this language (referenced as "Bible Society in Botswana, 2020") reflects an earlier audio version, while the printed New Testament was publicly launched and dedicated in 2024.

References