NUEVA JUÁREZ, Formosa, Argentina, September 27, 2002 — A 20-year project to translate the Bible into Wichí, the principal language of Argentina's Wichí people has culminated in a series of launch ceremonies which began on August 23 in Nueva Juárez. Some 500 Wichí people were present to witness the dedication of their Bible in a ceremony opened by the Rt Rev Humberto Axt, Anglican Auxiliary Bishop of Northern Argentina.
The celebrations were also attended by Marcelo Figueroa, General Secretary of the Argentine Bible Society, who stated that he was honoured to present the Wichí people with the first complete Bible in a language spoken by one of Argentina's indigenous ethnic groups. He expressed the wish that this long-awaited translation would be a source of inspiration and hope to the Wichí people.
PHOTO: UBS/Larry Jerden
Bible translator Juan Toribio says his Wichí people are eagerly awaiting the launch of the complete Bible in their language in 2002. Juarez, Argentina.
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Other guests at the launch in Nueva Juárez included Robert Lunt, who was responsible for co-ordinating the translation project, and Isidro Viltes, one of the translators. Mr Lunt emphasised that small native communities gain in dignity and feel less marginalised socially when they have the Bible in their own language. Mr Viltes said the project was "a great learning experience, and I thank God for the opportunity I was granted."
Radio stations to be established to spread the Word of God
The Finnish Bible Society and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland were represented at the ceremony, as they are working with the Argentine Bible Society and the Anglican Church to produce literacy materials in Wichí. They also plan to continue supporting the creation of community radio stations broadcasting in native languages and bringing the Word of God to communities across a wide area of Argentina.
The series of launch events ended with a closing ceremony in Buenos Aires on September 3.
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