Sepik Iwam New Testament (IWSWBT)

Overview

The Sepik Iwam New Testament, titled "Yai Wɨn Kɨbiya" in the vernacular, is the New Testament translated into the Sepik Iwam language of Papua New Guinea, first published in 1989 [1]. The translation was the work of Marilyn Laszlo, a Wycliffe Bible Translators missionary who arrived in Hauna village in the East Sepik Province in 1967 and spent 24 years living among the Sepik Iwam people [2][3]. Laszlo created the first written form of the Sepik Iwam language, initially carving words into banana leaves, and completed the New Testament translation in 1990 [2][3]. Her sister, Shirley Killosky, joined her in Hauna and taught the people to read and write their newly written language while Laszlo continued translating [3]. The Sepik Iwam people, numbering approximately 5,100 speakers across villages and lagoons in the Ambunti district along the Sepik River, refer to the translated Scriptures as "Papa God's Carving" [4][3]. Laszlo's missionary story was documented in her book Mission Possible and the film Come By Here, which inspired thousands to pursue mission work [2]. Laszlo passed away on September 9, 2021, at age 88, and the Sepik Iwam community honored her with a traditional five-day "house cry" ceremony [2].

Language and People

Sepik Iwam (ISO 639-3: iws) is spoken by approximately 2,500 people in Papua New Guinea, Map 5. [Glottolog: sepi1255]

Publishing and Organizations

Published by Wycliffe Bible Translators USA. Translation type: First.

References