Ndamba Bible (NDJNNT) (NDJNNT)

Overview

The NDJNNT is a New Testament translation in the Ndamba language (Kindamba), completed and launched on 11 September 2015 in Msolwa village, Tanzania [1]. The translation was carried out by a team of three translators -- Redemtus, Gracian, and Erasto -- in partnership with The Word for the World Bible Translators [1]. The project was one of The Word for the World UK's first ten Tanzania projects, all run jointly with Pioneer Bible Translators and all of which reached New Testament completion; Ndamba sits in that cluster alongside Pogolo (poy) and Mbunga. The Ndamba people live in the Kilombero Valley in the western part of Tanzania's Morogoro Region, and the community is predominantly Christian (approximately 85%) [2][3]. Bible portions in Ndamba were first produced between 2007 and 2012, followed by the complete New Testament [3]. The translation has had a notable impact on spiritual life in Ndamba-speaking communities, as residents of Msolwa and surrounding villages report deeper understanding of Scripture when read in their mother tongue [1].

Language and People

Ndamba (ISO 639-3: ndj) is a Bantu language closely related to Pogolo, spoken by approximately 180,000-196,000 people in the Kilombero Valley of Tanzania's Morogoro and Iringa regions [2][3]. The Ndamba are primarily subsistence farmers growing rice, maize, and cassava, and also engage in fishing along the Kilombero River [3]. [Glottolog: ndam1239]

References

[1] The Word For The World Bible Translators, "Ndamba," https://www.twftw.org/ndamba [2] Wikipedia, "Ndamba people," https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ndamba_people [3] Joshua Project, "Ndamba in Tanzania," https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/13271/TZ