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CHICAGO—The Bible League recently announced publication
of the New Hausa Standard Version Bible at a dedication ceremony
in Abuja, Nigeria.
The new Bible is a revised edition of the 1932 Union version,
the only complete Hausa Bible translation available in the
native language of sub-Saharan Africa’s largest people
group. Due to the language’s dynamic nature—it
changes and evolves over time— some of the Hausa used
in 1932 is now archaic, making a new version necessary, said
the Bible League’s Executive Director for Africa Ministry.
“It was revised to use the contemporary Hausa idiom
and make it more understandable, especially for young people,” the
director said. “Churches and missionaries agree that
there is a great openness among many Hausa youth.”
Hausa is spoken by more than 22 million in Africa. More than
18 million speakers live in northern Nigeria, with others living
in Niger, Sudan and Cameroon.
In 2004, the Bible League will supply 90,000 whole Bibles
and 35,000 New Testaments in the New Hausa Standard Version
for placement through small group Bible studies offered by
local churches in Nigeria. “Our purpose is to make this
Scripture available to all ministries involved in outreach
to the Hausa people,” said the director.
Bible League will also provide Scriptures in about 40 different
language translations throughout Africa in 2004. |
Bible
League dedicates new Hausa Bible in Nigeria
