Yi Wuding-Luquan Bible (Eastern Nasu / Black Yi)

Overview

The first complete Bible in Eastern Nasu (Yi Wuding-Luquan, locally called "Black Yi" — a term now considered archaic) was completed in 2016 and launched in November 2016 at Holy Trinity Church in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China. The event celebrated the simultaneous release of six minority language Bibles, distributing approximately 120,000 copies total. The translation was led by Elder Zhang Quanwei (张全威), a Black Yi believer who graduated from Yunnan Seminary in 2001 and headed a team of four translators. Dr. Yu Suee Yan of the United Bible Societies served as translation consultant.

The translation builds on a long scripture history: Australian China Inland Mission (CIM) missionary Arthur G. Nicholls first made contact with Eastern Nasu communities in 1909 and developed a Pollard-style romanized script for the language. Portions were published in 1923, the New Testament in 1948, and the complete Bible finally completed in 2016 after approximately 12–15 years of modern translation work with UBS support.

No digital text version is publicly available. The Bible exists only as a print edition distributed through churches in Yunnan Province.

Language and People

Yi Wuding-Luquan (ISO 639-3: ywq), also called Eastern Nasu, is a Yi language spoken in Wuding and Luquan counties of Yunnan Province, China. It uses a Latin-based Pollard phonetic script (distinct from the traditional Nuosu Yi logographic script). The language is also known as "Nasu Eastern" in the JESUS Film database.

Publishing and Organizations

Published by the Yunnan Christian Council & Three-Self Patriotic Movement (Yunnan CC&TSPM) with support and funding from the United Bible Societies China Partnership (UBSCP).

References