Makonde New Testament (KDEWBT)

Overview

The Makonde New Testament (vernacular title: Ibibiliya mu Shimakonde Imbodi Yaambi na dimbande dya Imbodi Yakala) is a 2008 translation of the New Testament and selected Old Testament portions (Genesis, Ruth, and Jonah) into Makonde (Shimakonde), a Bantu language of Mozambique and Tanzania. [1] The translation was the work of Benji and Rhoda Leach, Wycliffe Bible Translators members who settled in Mueda, a remote town in northern Mozambique. [1] Benji Leach, originally a geologist, and his wife studied linguistics and learned Portuguese before beginning the translation work, which spanned approximately twenty years. [1] The project was slowed by the difficulties of life in a remote area without running water or electricity, the need to homeschool four children, home assignments to Britain, and Benji's two brain tumour surgeries. [1] The Leaches recruited and trained a team of Makonde speakers to assist with the translation, and the completed text was tested with local Christians and reviewed by Wycliffe linguistic consultants. [1] The translation is published by Palavra Para Todos and Centro de Escrita Makonde in Nampula, Mozambique.

Language and People

Makonde (ISO 639-3: kde) is spoken by approximately 1,995,000 people in Mozambique. [Glottolog: mako1251]

Publishing and Organizations

Published by Palavra Para Todos and Centro de Escrita Makonde, Nampula, Mozambique.

References