Project Details
Explore project outcomes, visuals, and supporting documents.
Translation Project
Wandya Oral Bible Translation (OBT) Project
1. BACKGROUND
The project was initiated due to the lack of Scripture available in the heart language, Chiwandya. This situation contrasts with the Bible's teachings in Matthew 24:14— “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world…”—and Mark 13:10—"the good news must first be preached to all nations.” This gap prompted BiLTA to partner with FCBH to make Scripture accessible to the Mwenempangala Chiefdom in an oral format. The goal is to provide Wandya-speaking communities with access to God’s Word in the language they understand best. This approach allows them to hear God speak in their heart language, comprehend His Word, and apply biblical truths to their daily lives. The project adheres to internationally recognized principles of Bible translation to ensure that the Scriptures are clear, accurate, natural, and culturally acceptable within the Mwenempangala Chiefdom.
2. Project Goal
The aim of the Wandya Oral Bible Translation Project is to provide the people of the Mwenempangala Chiefdom with accurate, clear, and natural Scripture in Wandya, delivered in an oral format that they can understand, remember, and share. This will lead to transformed lives and strengthened communities.
A. Core Goal
A. Core Goal
- To provide God's Word in the heart language of the community in a natural, oral form that they can comprehend, remember, and communicate.
B. Key Objectives Supporting the Goal
- Accessibility - Reach the Mwenempangala Chiefdom communities with low literacy and no written language, who have strong oral traditions. The Bible will be translated into spoken stories, dialogues, and passages that they can hear.
- Accuracy and Clarity - Follow internationally recognized translation principles to ensure that the message remains faithful to the original text, while being clear, natural, and culturally acceptable.
- Ownership and Multiplication - Equip the local community to hear, learn, and share the translated Scriptures themselves. The objective is not merely to deliver the Scripture but for the community to own and disseminate it.
- Transformation - The ultimate goal is life change: for individuals to encounter God through His Word in a culturally relevant form and for churches and communities to be strengthened.
3. TRANSLATION PROGRESS
The team has completed the translation and recording of the books of Luke, Matthew, and Acts. Drafting of Mark has recently begun. Currently, Luke and Acts are in the consultant check stage, with 59.7% (i.e., 47 sections) of Scripture approved in the book of Luke, while Matthew is undergoing community review.
4. CONCLUSION
The Wandya Oral Bible Translation Project aims to make God’s Word accessible, accurate, and culturally relevant to the people of the Mwenempangala Chiefdom. By translating Scriptures into natural, spoken Wandya and employing oral storytelling and audio methods, the project ensures that everyone — regardless of literacy level — can hear, understand, remember, and share the Scriptures. This initiative will not only foster spiritual transformation but also preserve and strengthen the Wandya language and oral traditions for future generations.
Media Gallery
Project Images
6 Photos
Intro Pic
BiLTA Staff with Chief mwenempangala & local chairpeson
BiLTA staff with community members during community check
Launch of the Wandya OBT office
Wandya speaking people during scripture-in-song training
