Open New Oromo Contemporary Version (GAZBIB)
Overview
The Open New Oromo Contemporary Version (GAZBIB) is a full Bible in West Central Oromo (Afaan Oromoo) published by Biblica, Inc. in 2022, rendered in the Ethiopic (Ge'ez) script. [1] A companion edition in Latin (Qubee) script is published separately as GAZBIBL. The Oromo people have a long history of Bible translation, beginning with Dr. Johannes L. Krapf's pioneering work in the 1870s and Onesimos Nasib's landmark complete Bible published in 1899 in Sabean (Ethiopic) script. [2] A modern translation was produced between 1975 and 1993 by the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, initially in Ethiopic script, with a Qubee (Latin) script edition following in 1997 after the formal adoption of the Latin-based Qubee alphabet in 1991. [2] This 2022 Biblica edition represents the latest contemporary-language translation for the Oromo-speaking community, one of the largest language groups in East Africa.
References
- [1] Oromo Ethiopic Bible - Google Play listing for the Biblica Oromo Ethiopic Bible app.
- [2] History of Macaafa Qulqulluu (archived) - Oromo Bible Society history page covering all major Oromo Bible translations from Krapf (1870s) through modern editions.
Language and People
West Central Oromo (ISO 639-3: gaz) is spoken by approximately 30,000,000 people in Djibouti, Eritrea and Ethiopia. [Glottolog: west2721]
- Rosetta Project: West Central Oromo Genesis - Internet Archive / Rosetta Project. Genesis in West Central Oromo.
- GBC: Biblica® Open New Oromo Contemporary Version 2022 - Global Bible Catalogue.
- bible.com - YouVersion.
- ebible.org entry - ebible.org.