MWANZA, Tanzania, July 1 — Churches of different denominations have enthusiastically welcomed the Common Language Sukuma New Testament, published by the Bible Society of Tanzania (BST) and launched on July 1 in this bustling city on the southern shore of Lake Victoria.
The new translation has already been the catalyst for the development of two new Sukuma Scripture programs: the Faith Comes By Hearing program will be launched next year in Sukuma-speaking churches using the Sukuma New Testament on audio cassette, and the Bible Society has begun training teachers to undertake literacy work using the new Scripture.
"All churches in Usukuma Province have demonstrated much enthusiasm and commitment to using [Scriptures in] the Sukuma vernacular to encourage reading and writing through methods developed by the Literacy and Evangelism Fellowship (International)," said the Rev Albert Mongi, BST General Secretary.
The dedication service was led by the Rt Rev Methusela Nyagwaswa, formerly Bishop of the Africa Inland Church and one-time Board Chairman of the BST, at the request of the Roman Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican churches. The ceremony was a joyful occasion and reflected the solidarity of the churches around the new Scripture.
The Sukuma people are Tanzania's largest ethnic group and have had the New Testament in their language since 1925. The language is no longer accessible to modern-day speakers, however, and in 1990 the Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches decided to embark on a new translation that would appeal to young people and open the Bible to more Sukuma-speakers.
Work began in 1992 and a new complete Bible is due for publication in 2005.
Source: United Bible Societies
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