This language project is for the Banen linguistic group. They live in the Ndikinimeki and Makenene Subdivision, Mbam Division in the Centre Province; of Yingui Subdivision; in Nkam Division in the Littoral Province.

They number more than 35,000 inhabitants. These people live essentially on subsistence farming, animal rearing, and hunting. Their resources are limited, due to the standard of education and difficult road network. They are very sociable and attached to recreational activities, such as sports, music, dancing, and indoor games. The society is structured in chieftaincies.

Despite the fact that Christianity is the main religion, the Banen people still have difficulties understanding the gospel message. About 30% of the population is made up of Moslems, Jehovah Witnesses, and those com-mitted to traditional religion. Many denominations are present here.

In 2003, CABTAL, in response to the community’s request, trained and sent a pioneer (Zacharie Manyim) to the community with a mandate to mobilise and share the Bible translation vision with the church leaders.

The church community has established the Inter Church Committee (ICC) and Translation Committee, which provide super-vision of the project. The Tunen Language Development Committee (CODELATU) collaborates with CABTAL and SIL in the language development, training and teaching. The Committees mobilise prayer and funds to support the project. They also selected project workers, who are serving in the project. The project is envisaged to last for eight years (2005-2013).

The ongoing activities include linguistic research, Bible translation, literacy material, Scripture use, and vision sharing and community mobilisation. Publications such as a Reading and Writing manual, Alphabet charts, AIDS brochure and portions of Scripture are available in the Tunen language. About 17% of the Bible has been drafted. Balehen Jacques René is the project leader.