Numana New Testament — Numana (Gwantu) Scripture Portions (Nigeria)
Overview
The Numana New Testament is a 24-book scripture portion in the Numana language of Kaduna State, Nigeria, published by The Word for the World International and available via YouVersion/Bible.com (ID 4483). Though titled "New Testament," the 24-book count indicates it comprises the 27-book NT minus 3 books (likely the very short epistles 2 John, 3 John, and Philemon, or a comparable set). The speakers' autonym Gwantu is one of several closely related community names in the Numana cluster — Ethnologue classifies this language as part of the Numana-Nunku-Gbantu-Numbu dialect cluster of Kaduna State. Numana belongs to the North Plateau branch of the Benue-Congo subfamily of Niger-Congo, placing it among the Plateau languages of central Nigeria.
Language and People
Numana (ISO 639-3: nbr; autonym: Gwantu) is a Niger-Congo language: Niger-Congo → Atlantic-Congo → Volta-Congo → Benue-Congo → Plateau branch (North Plateau). The North Plateau languages occupy the highland rim of the Jos Plateau and the Kaduna/Plateau state border zone, and include Mwaghavul (Sura), Kulere, and dozens of smaller varieties. Numana belongs within this cluster as part of the Numana-Nunku-Gbantu-Numbu dialect continuum of southern Kaduna State.
The Numana/Gwantu community inhabits:
- Jema'a Local Government Area, Kaduna State, north-central Nigeria — on the southern fringe of the Jos Plateau
- The Plateau-Kaduna boundary zone where Plateau languages and Hausa-influenced lowland communities interface
Estimated speakers: small to medium Plateau-language community within Jema'a LGA's complex multi-ethnic zone; precise recent data is limited.
Cultural Context
Jema'a LGA in southern Kaduna is one of Nigeria's most linguistically complex districts, home to numerous small Plateau and Chadic languages. The Numana cluster communities (Numana proper, Nunku, Gbantu, Numbu) share significant linguistic and cultural ties, with related translation initiatives sometimes covering the whole cluster. The Word for the World International has supported translation work for several of the Jema'a-area minority language communities through local church partnerships.
Publishing and Organizations
Published by The Word for the World International (thewordfortheworld.org), a Bible translation organization working in partnership with national churches.