Introduction
After a meeting of the Bakossi Language Committee, CABTAL received this request: “We wish to hereby inform you that following the interview we had with Pastor David Ngole on 6 February 2001, we have decided to recruit him as Bakossi Bible Project Coordinator. We therefore pray that you take the appropriate measures to put him at the disposal of CABTAL with effect from 1 July, 2001.” Pastor Ngole comes from the Presbyterian Church and has been serving in the lead capacity since then, bringing good progress in the work. The project started in the 1970s, barring further difficulties, the current target date to finish 2011.
Linguistics
Phonology work began in 1977, leading to a paper on tone and verb usage. The orthography was agreed upon in 1994 after several years of work on the grammar, a lexicon and dictionary. The project has realized a variety of delays over the years, but is now moving forward.
Literacy
Teaching Bakossi in school is done informally, the plan being developed by the literacy supervisor. A PROPELCA course was organized in Tombel for training formal PROPELCA teachers the pedagogy of mother tongue literacy. Most denominations were represented at a reader’s / teacher’s workshop held in Tombel. Teaching is going on in about 17 schools, one being formal PROPELCA. There are about 11 classes going on and we are in the process of starting classes in another seven villages.
Sunday 12th September was celebrated as International Literacy Day and all four zones celebrated in a grand style: Tombel, Ngusi, Mwambong and Western Bakossi . In all the centers, activities such as March-pass, drama, singing competition, Scripture readings, recitations, exhibitions and speeches all geared towards the importance of the mother tongue, both in ecclesiastical and societal circles.
Publications
A quarterly newsletter, a songbook and some local stories have been published and the Samuel Shell Book is ready for publication. About 40 proverbs have been typed, and copies of the Lord's Prayer were distributed to people who have become literate. SGM’s publication, Jesus Has Power to Save has been printed; also the Hannah Shell book. The four Gospels have been published in one book. There is also a CD of song of the Bakossi Presbyterian Choir Associations and many other literatures in the Akoose language.
Scripture Use
The Bakossi project is involved in promoting the use of the mother tongue Scriptures in the Church and the communities and homes. Scripture use workshop are organized yearly and bring together many church leaders and Christians from various denominations.
Translation
More than 78% of the New Testament has been drafted and a big part of this translation has been consultant-checked.
To date, the Gospels, Galatians, Ephesians, I Timothy, Titus, Philemon and I Peter and others are complete. Also completed in the Old Testament are I Samuel chapters one to three and the book of Ruth.
One of the verses that caught the attention of the people during testing is Mark 1:15. It is translated thus “
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Back translation: “Time has come, the Kingdom of God is near. Everyone of you should change your bad habits, you also believe the Good news.”
Others
“The intransigent attitude of the Catholic Church regarding Bible translation has always discouraged me. Even as a Christian and leader in the church, my efforts in getting the effect of the translation project felt has not yielded much fruit. However, an opportunity presented itself and, after having a look at the translated text, the impressed priest approved that it should be read in church. This was the first time the Scriptures would be read in Akoose in the History of the Catholic Church in Tombel town. The text came from the Gospel of Luke 15:1-10 and, “They barely held back from clapping and shouting because they were in church,” remarked some. It produced a spontaneous excitement. Many, especially the old, remarked it was the best thing they ever heard. The people experienced a new awakening which they now wanted to experience always. Hearing the word of God in their language, gives the Bakossi people the feeling that God is their God. The priest promised that hence, mother tongue Scripture will be read in church.
Prayer Requests
Praise God for the yearly visit Mr. Ernie Frederick from the USA have been making to project. Each time, he would organize Scripture Use workshops and teach people how to meditate and use God's Word in their daily life.
Please join us in praying for funds to dub the Jesus film into Bakossi, as we continue preparatory work on the book of Luke.
Pray also that Literacy will be carried out in the whole Bakossi land and pray that more and more people will join literacy classes.
Last modified: 2006-11-23
