ANGOLA: Umbangala Bible Translation

Angola Umbangala Bible Translation

Once vibrant and beautiful, Angola experienced the horrors of a 27-year civil war. This exacerbated poverty, illiteracy and maternal and child mortality.

Although the Umbangala people of Northern Angola number well over 400,000, they never had a Bible in their native language. While the Bible is available in Portuguese, the lack of Scripture in Umbangala presents a challenge to understanding the Word.

Followers of Jesus eagerly anticipate the full Bible in their heart language.

71%

Only 71% of Angolans speak the official language of Portuguese.

85%

Although 85% of Angola identifies as Christian, the country is considered “superficially reached,” indicating a profound need for deeper Biblical engagement.

41%

41% of the population is nominally Catholic and 38% Protestant.

“If we don’t translate the Bible, who will?”

  • ​The introduction of the first Umbangala Bible Translation marked a significant milestone in preserving the language through the implementation of a writing system.
  • The Umbangala New Testament was completed in 2022 bringing great joy to the community.
  • Production of a new reader portion with illustrated stories and the New Testament in audio will help the community engage with the new Umbangala Bible Translation.
  • Currently, funds are being raised for the translation of the Old Testament including the Deuterocanon.
  • It will take another five years for the Umbangala Christians to have the complete Bible in their heart language.

The Umbangala Bible will make God’s Word available, fuel faith, and bring hope. Your generosity will empower many more Umbangala people to experience the transformative and life-giving power of Scripture.

The Umbangala Bible will make God’s Word available, fuel faith, and bring hope. Your generosity will empower many more Umbangala people to experience the transformative and life-giving power of Scripture.