Gospel for Christmas: First Translated Scripture

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Yesu ꞉niibhweru mo‑moghi o Bheserehemu mo‑mukowa o Yuteya, riibhagha re bhukangati bho mutemi Herote Omokoro. Mbe, hano amaare kwibhoru, abhamanyi bha chinchota bhano ꞉bhaarwereere roghoro bhakahika mo‑moghi o Yerusareemu. Bhakabhoori, “Nihe are ono iibhweru Omutemi o Bhayahuuti? Ntoyerooche inchota eeche ekurwera roghoro, kwo ghayo, ntoochire komusengera.” Mataayo 2:1-2 (Isenye language, Tanzania)

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2 (NLT, English)

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With these opening verses of Christ’s story from the Gospel of Matthew, a new chapter of history began. Four days after Christmas, a small church in the village of Iharara filled beyond capacity with people gathered for a milestone celebration. The Isenye language community of northern Tanzania has published Matthew, its first complete book of Scripture translated in their own language.

“We had a great ceremony to recognise this launch,” said Lukas Nyakanyenge, one of the Isenye translators who have been training and working already for more than two years. “But also to launch our distribution of the book to people in our community so that they can actually own and use them in their daily lives.”

The Isenye are about 10,000 people living across the Mara Region and beyond. Most Isenye (about ninety percent) identify as Christians, but some people — even some Christians — also practice various African religious traditions. The rest practice another major world religion.

A neighbouring community, the Ikoma, have been working since 2009 to complete a translated New Testament in that language, and reached that goal less than a year ago. For several years, the Isenye watched that project and felt growing interest.

“The two languages are distinct, but very similar,” said Thobias Mussa, the team’s Translation Advisor who had previously served as a translator on the Ikoma project. “So for some time, we believed the Isenye people might use the Ikoma translation. Finally, after a lot of assessment and discussion, all the partners agreed — we will do a new one for Isenye.”

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The relationship between the two languages makes the Isenye project somewhat unique from many translations which take decades to complete. “The Isenye team are doing their work as an adaptation from the recently completed Ikoma text,” explained Jeff Robinson, Language Programmes Director for SIL Tanzania. “Launched officially in 2022, the team is already producing quality materials and publishing Scripture. With funding in place from Wycliffe USA, and strong engagement from the local community, our current goal is to have the completed Isenye New Testament in just another three to four years.”

The five-hour celebration drew over 250 people to the African Inland Church in Iharara. Amongst the villagers and colourful choirs were also representatives from local government and media, area church leaders, the Isenye Language Committee, and members of partner organisations. Speeches and prayers were made by many including the Committee Chair, local ward council leader, Team Leader of the Mara Cluster Project of SIL Tanzania, and even one of the Isenye translators.

“I shared with them about the process and challenges of translating into Isenye,” said translator Isaya Mrigo. “I also demonstrated some of the linguistic and cultural features of our new version of Matthew. Even using the Ikoma text, we have a very big job ahead of us to make our translation just right for Isenye people to read.”

When Isaya read aloud those verses from Matthew’s story of Jesus, the delight in people’s response was encouraging. “Our elders heard it in their language,” added Lukas, “and they were so amazed. One told us he liked it, and bought forty copies to share with friends who did not come and did not even know such a thing is happening.”

Funding for distribution made it possible to offer printed copies of Matthew in Isenye to anyone who could pay just 1,000 Tanzanian shillings, just under 40 cents USD. They also gave free copies to volunteer Community Reviewers.

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While Matthew’s Gospel is now in the Isenye community and churches, the translation team and others have much more work in progress. “We have team checked and community checked our first drafts of several other books,” said Nyakanyenge, “including 1 and 2 Corinthians, Acts, Romans, and Colossians. Also, our drafts of Galatians and Ephesians are being checked.”

Meanwhile, the team is busy producing a language orthography (writing system), collecting and translating Isenye cultural stories, teaching people to read written Isenye, and training literacy teachers to do the same. “They are also developing Scripture Engagement workshops,” said Hope Uwera, the team’s Language Programmes Manager. “These will equip pastors, lay leaders, and others to use translated Scripture as it becomes available.”

Many who attended the Matthew launch expressed gratitude for the work. “We are thankful for the help from partner organisations,” said one woman, named Miriam. “God bless you all so very much for the good training and for remembering us.”

“Please pray for us in the coming year,” said David Murondoro, Team Leader of SIL Tanzania’s Mara Cluster Project which includes the new Isenye team. “As God wills, we hope to do several literacy and training workshops for the community and our staff. To complete our planned work and some tasks remaining from last year we ask God for continued provision, wisdom, and good health. God bless you for praying with us!”