EGN NEWS DESK
The Colombian Bible Society has unveiled the primary full translation of the Bible into an indigenous language – Wayuunaiki, which can serve two indigenous ethnic teams in Colombia. The Wayú ethnic neighborhood constitutes 20% of the indigenous inhabitants. The Nasa folks, one other native group, signify roughly 12.8%, in response to knowledge from the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE) in 2019.
“We work hand in hand with indigenous communities in Colombia with two most important functions: to protect their native language and to talk the language of their coronary heart by the Word of God. For this purpose, along with the Wayú and Nasa communities, we’re translating the Bible into Wayuunaiki and Nasa Yuwe, whereas strengthening ties with the inhabitants,” the Colombian Bible Society says.
This marks the primary time a whole Bible translation has been achieved in a local language inside the nation. The venture required the experience of biblical students, native translators, and language specialists to make sure that the that means and interpretation of the sacred textual content remained intact. “Those of us who can’t learn in Spanish discovered it tough to finish the interpretation, however now, with this useful resource accessible in all our church buildings, we are able to advance not solely in city areas but additionally in rural communities,” stated Deinles Epieyú, a Wayú Christian chief, in an interview with Caracol News.
The translation, which took about 13 years to finish, is being celebrated as it is going to help 1000’s of people that wrestle with the Spanish language. The indigenous communities hope it is going to present vital religious assist and additional improve neighborhood relations.
“For us, the Bible translation signifies growth and progress for the Wayú folks. It advances each the linguistic growth and grammar of our Wayuunaiki language in addition to religious development,” stated Ramón Uriana Epieyú, a member of the Wayú neighborhood.
Alexander Gómez, head of the Colombian Bible Society, stated, “It is a superb satisfaction as a result of we all know there can be transformations at private, neighborhood, and socio-cultural ranges. Each Wayú brother and sister who hears the Word of God of their native language will expertise the love that God expresses to us.”
During the presentation to the Wayú neighborhood, the group distributed 1,600 Wayuunaiki Bibles freed from cost. The purpose is to supply no less than 10,000 copies this 12 months. The translation venture price 4.5 billion Colombian pesos (roughly 1.12 million US {dollars}) and was supported by donations from all over the world.
The Wayú are indigenous folks from the Guajira Peninsula on the Caribbean Sea, primarily residing within the northern a part of Colombia’s La Guajira division and the northern area of Venezuela’s Zulia state.
While 97% of the Wayú inhabitants speaks their conventional language, Wayuunaiki, and 32% communicate Spanish, 66% haven’t acquired formal schooling. Despite efforts to combine the Spanish alphabet, the Wayú preserve a powerful oral custom and prioritize collective values over particular person ones of their social interactions.
Originally printed by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International’s Spanish version.
