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Bible Translation Celebrated in Cameroon

April 24, 2014
A royal procession escorts a copy of the newly-printed New Testament to the celebration, showing how God's Word is esteemed by the Oku community of Cameroon.

A royal procession escorts a copy of the newly-printed New Testament to the celebration, showing how God's Word is esteemed by the Oku community of Cameroon.

OneBook

It's a kingly procession. To those watching under the hot African sun, the imagery is rich in meaning.

The crowd is mixed on this day in October 2013. Villagers, excited groups of churchgoers dressed in their finest, officials and VIPs. Even a few visitors from overseas. All crane their necks to catch a glimpse of the action.

Music and drumming fill the air. Nine choirs in colourful dress sway their slow way to the centre of the festivities. A long line of pastors follows, from every local church denomination — walking together. Today is a day for unity.

Excitement peaks. The guest of honour has arrived. God's book — the new ruler of the Oku people — is carried in on a ceremonial chair. It has taken many years for this to happen.

"This is God's Word, in the language of the heart!" shouts a pastor. He holds the Oku New Testament high for all to see. "When people listen to the Bible in Oku, they will understand. They will sing the Oku language in heaven."

The crowd erupts with dancing and clapping. Joyful speeches and prayers flow through the microphone. The theme is loud and clear. Thank you, Father, for speaking to us in the language of our hearts! Later, all share a festive meal. Differences melt away.

The Oku: a unique language and culture

The homeland of the 55,000 Oku-speakers is in northern Cameroon, Central Africa, 2,000 metres above sea level near Mt. Oku, a dormant volcano. It's an isolation they are used to.

Their home, their culture and their language (one of 279 local languages) are far from the mainstream. Eking out a living on the steep mountain slopes has left little time for schooling.

Most Oku adults do not know how to read or write. The Bible in English (the national language) has been available for many years, but only the educated can understand it well.

As a result, biblical truth blurs with tradition. The gospel message has been confusing and unclear. Animism is still alive and well, even within the church.

But now the New Testament in their mother tongue is in print for the first time in history.

The pastors agree the Bibles will be sold, not given away. This ensures people will value them. About 3,600 books have arrived.

Nearly 2,000 sell on the first day alone. Despite clouds and rain, people line up eagerly to buy their own copy. Churches buy some to use as pew Bibles and as prizes for learning scripture verses.

More than 1,680 books are already spoken for. Payment has been carefully collected over a few months, helping low-income farmers set aside the cost a little at a time.

History of the Oku Bible translation

The vision for an Oku Bible began 30 years earlier. Three Bible school students shared a desire to have a translation of God's word in their heart language. They knew pastors urgently needed it to teach their churches the truth.

"It was really just a dream then," recalls Rev. Ngum Peter, one of the three and current leader of the Oku Bible translation and literacy project.

Over the years an alphabet took shape. Next came a grammar write-up, a dictionary, and some math books. Progress was slow.

In 2001, the Cameroon Association for Bible Translation and Literacy (CABTAL) took on the project.

Work began in earnest. The Book of Luke was published in 2003.

In 2006, OneBook joined to help with funding. OneBook is a Wycliffe Global Alliance member started by Wycliffe Canada.

OneBook's direct link with sponsors in Canada enabled the local Oku team to complete the New Testament by 2013. The dedication was held on Saturday, Oct. 12.

There is a partnership agreement between Christian Reformed World Missions and Wycliffe – both in Canada and the U.S. A number of missionaries that World Missions supports work with  Wycliffe.

OneBook only fundraises for Bible translation and literacy projects. But, unless there is “pull” from the churches in the region where the Bible is needed, funding is not provided.

For example, the churches in Cameroon have to agree together that a translation is needed; raise a set amount of money to do the work;  CABTAL will augment the funds, and then OneBook will fund the project via CABTAL.    

Exciting changes

Today, many Oku churches are starting to use their mother-tongue scripture in daily life and worship. More than 2,000 men, women and children attend weekly Bible studies.

Two of every five Oku-speakers can now read and write. The Oku library is growing, with at least 30 books on many subjects, written by local authors.

Forty literacy classes deal with practical topics, such as farming methods, hygiene, how to prevent HIV/AIDS, and human rights. This "functional literacy" has resulted in some new ventures with crops and livestock.

Ten other languages in Cameroon have adapted two Oku books for projects of their own. Local Bible translation agencies in Kenya, India, and Indonesia may also use them for their literacy programs.

About 150 more languages in Cameroon still need Bible translation and literacy. CABTAL's vision is for each of them to have scripture in their mother tongue. Currently, CABTAL has projects in 35 languages. They plan to begin 90 more over the next 14 years.