Ten Years and Ksh45 Million Later, Higher Pokomo Have the New Testomony in Native Tongue

The Higher Pokomo neighborhood in Kenya’s Tana River County has a brand new purpose to have a good time: they now have the New Testomony accessible of their native language for the primary time. The Bible Translation and Literacy (BTL) group formally launched the Higher Pokomo New Testomony throughout a dedication ceremony on the Africa Inland Church (AIC) in Hola Sub-County.

The interpretation undertaking, which took a decade to finish and value roughly Ksh 45 million, concerned intensive linguistic surveys and the event of a standardized writing system (orthography). Translators fastidiously distinguished Higher Pokomo from the intently associated Decrease Pokomo language to make sure accuracy. Though Higher Pokomo shares similarities with Swahili, it stays a definite coastal Bantu language spoken within the higher Tana River basin.

Based in 1981, BTL is a Christian-based group dedicated to translating the Bible and selling literacy amongst small language teams in Kenya and neighboring international locations.

Talking in the course of the dedication ceremony, BTL’s Nationwide Director, Rev. Peter Munguti, expressed his pleasure for the Higher Pokomo neighborhood, noting that many different communities throughout East Africa are nonetheless awaiting translations of their native languages.

“I urge the Higher Pokomo individuals to learn and perceive the Phrase of God in order that they could absolutely grasp His will,” stated Rev. Munguti. He inspired clergy to make use of the brand new translation actively of their ministries to assist rework lives and known as upon the broader church neighborhood to proceed supporting BTL’s mission of bringing the Bible to all communities of their native languages.

Rev. Munguti additionally reaffirmed BTL’s dedication to finishing the complete Bible translation into Higher Pokomo.

False Prophets Warning

BTL Board Chairperson Kendi Ogamba highlighted the importance of the brand new translation, saying it will empower Christians to personally perceive the foundations of their religion slightly than solely counting on spiritual leaders.

“The Bible performs an important function in our lives, and we consider Higher Pokomo audio system will now have the ability to deepen their understanding of God’s Phrase,” stated Mrs. Ogamba.

She warned that the unfold of false prophets might misguide future generations if believers wouldn’t have direct entry to scripture of their native languages, referencing the Shakahola tragedy as a painful instance of the hazards of spiritual misinformation.

Mrs. Ogamba careworn the pressing have to prioritize Bible translation to bridge language and cultural limitations, enabling deeper private connections with scripture.

At present, BTL is engaged in translation work throughout 37 languages in Kenya, six in Tanzania, and three in South Sudan. In Kenya’s coastal area alone, BTL has already accomplished and devoted full or partial Bible translations for the Duruma, Digo, Giryama, Decrease Pokomo, and Chonyi communities.