ANGOLA: Ngangela Bible Translation
Home to over 100 people groups, Angola boasts a diverse tapestry of languages and dialects. Among these, Ngangela, a Bantu dialect spoken in southeast Angola, Zambia, and Namibia, serves as the heart language for 3% of the population.
Ngangela is prevalent in homes, churches, and businesses. However, despite its widespread use, there is no access to God’s Word in a contemporary format, creating a significant gap in the church’s work. The existing translation, completed by missionaries in the mid-20th century, no longer meets the community’s needs. Consequently, many churches have reverted to reading the Scriptures in Portuguese.
Ngangela churches are fervently calling for a new translation to facilitate spiritual renewal and evangelism. Impact from the prolonged civil war in Angola and the lingering influence of animism further add to the necessity of a modern translation of God’s Word. It crucial for the Ngangela people to grasp and internalize the Scriptures in their own language.
71%
Only 71% of Angolans speak the official language of Portuguese.
85%
“This is a great work.”
- The Ngangela Bible Translation uses subtitles and references to aid readers, and its spelling and grammar is being updated by the recommendations of Angola’s Institute for National Languages.
- Translation reached a major milestone in 2019 when the New Testament in Ngangela launched at a celebration event attended by government officials, representatives of security forces, academic institutions, and churches of many denominations. The translation team is currently working on the Old Testament.
- Available in both regular and electronic format and accompanied by evangelism and discipleship material, The Ngangela Bible Translation is revitalizing Ngangela churches and communities, helping people build their lives God’s Word.
~ Pastor Tololi
The Ngangela Bible Translation is helping all generations of Ngangela people interact with and understand the Word of God in their mother tongue. Your gift today will allow many more access to the Scriptures in their heart language and foster a stronger commitment to their faith.