The Colombian Bible Society has unveiled the primary complete translation of the Bible into an indigenous language – Wayuunaiki, which is able to serve two indigenous ethnic groups in Colombia. The Wayú ethnic community constitutes 20% of the indigenous population. The Nasa people, one other native group, represent roughly 12.8%, in response to data from the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE) in 2019.
“We work hand in hand with indigenous communities in Colombia with two principal purposes: to preserve their native language and to talk the language of their heart through the Word of God. For this reason, along with the Wayú and Nasa communities, we’re translating the Bible into Wayuunaiki and Nasa Yuwe, while strengthening ties with the population,” the Colombian Bible Society says.
This marks the primary time an entire Bible translation has been achieved in a native language inside the country. The project required the expertise of biblical scholars, native translators, and language specialists to be sure that the meaning and interpretation of the sacred text remained intact. “Those of us who cannot read in Spanish found it difficult to finish the interpretation, but now, with this resource available in all our churches, we are able to advance not only in urban areas but additionally in rural communities,” said Deinles Epieyú, a Wayú Christian leader, in an interview with Caracol News.
The translation, which took about 13 years to finish, is being celebrated as it should aid 1000’s of people that struggle with the Spanish language. The indigenous communities hope it should provide significant spiritual support and further enhance community relations.
“For us, the Bible translation signifies development and progress for the Wayú people. It advances each the linguistic development and grammar of our Wayuunaiki language in addition to spiritual growth,” said Ramón Uriana Epieyú, a member of the Wayú community.
Alexander Gómez, head of the Colombian Bible Society, said, “It is an ideal satisfaction because we all know there will probably be transformations at personal, community, and socio-cultural levels. Each Wayú brother and sister who hears the Word of God of their native language will experience the love that God expresses to us.”
During the presentation to the Wayú community, the organization distributed 1,600 Wayuunaiki Bibles freed from charge. The goal is to supply at the least 10,000 copies this 12 months. The translation project cost 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 people from the Guajira Peninsula on the Caribbean Sea, primarily residing within the northern a part of Colombia’s La Guajira department and the northern region of Venezuela’s Zulia state.
While 97% of the Wayú population speaks their traditional language, Wayuunaiki, and 32% speak Spanish, 66% haven’t received formal education. Despite efforts to integrate the Spanish alphabet, the Wayú maintain a powerful oral tradition and prioritize collective values over individual ones of their social interactions.
Originally published by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International’s Spanish edition.
