New Testament Brings a New Responsibility
Karimojong Rejoice over Scriptures in their language
by Ezra S Ndagije, Bible Society Marketing Manager
KAMPALA, Uganda — Crowds of people
converged on Moroto prison hall on Saturday May 10, to celebrate the launch
of the interconfessional Karimojong New Testament. But brighter than the
blue skies and colourful costumes were the smiles of the Karimojong when
they heard the Scriptures being read aloud in their own language.
"Ikotere ngitunga daadang!" (‘Good News for all people’) declared the
Roman Catholic Bishop of Moroto Diocese, the Rt Rev Henry Sentongo, who
was one of the presiding ministers. The audience responded with loud applause
and shouts of joy, knowing that this occasion was a landmark for the uniting
of Christians in Karamoja.
Sweet burden
"Let us rejoice and give thanks to God for his special gift of salvation,
which we can read about here in our own language," said the bishop, holding
up a copy of the New Testament. "We must study this book and live according
to its teaching, so that the Word of God finds a home in our hearts. This
New Testament brings us a new responsibility and a sweet burden for our
people, because God has spoken to us in our language."
It seemed appropriate that the launch be held on prison grounds, as
Bishop Sentongo challenged his audience to let God’s Word set them free
from the traditional beliefs that continued to "imprison" them.
After the address, the Moroto town choir sang a special anthem, reminding
the people of the Great Commission, in which God commands all believers
to: "Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples..."
(Matthew 28:19).
Excitement
A surge of excitement rushed through the crowd as copies of the New Testament
were presented to church leaders from different denominations. "This New
Testament will promote and preserve the Karimojong heritage," said Bishop
Sentongo. He then encouraged the young people to learn to read and write
their own language, so that they would have direct access to the Word of
God in their mother tongue. The bishop of Karamoja Diocese, the Rt Rev
Peter Lomongin, attributed the success of the new Scripture to God’s faithfulness
through every stage of the translation and production processes.
The guest of honour at the function was Mr Peter Lokeris, the Minister
of State for Karamoja. He commended the efforts of the Catholic Church
and the Church of Uganda, who had worked together to produce the Karimojong
New Testament. Copies of the new Scripture were presented to representatives
from a wide spectrum of the Karimojong community, from members of parliament
to prison wardens, warriors, and women.
400 copies
Then the New Testaments were made available for purchase, and within 20
minutes, 400 copies had been sold. As people began to read their new Scripture,
some of them voiced their opinions aloud.
"Kipuroe!" exclaimed one lady. "That means ‘Praise God’ in Karimojong!
This book is really written in my language!"
Another satisfied customer was Gabriel, a choir member from the Kangole
parish, who said, "This is the clearest translation I have ever read."
By the end of the day a total of 800 New Testaments had been sold. And
in response to a fundraising appeal in support of the translation of the
Old Testament, donations – including cash and pledges – amounted to more
than one million shillings, (just over US$ 1,000).
Background
The cattle-herding Karimojong are nomadic people who live in the Moroto
and Kotido districts, formerly the Karamoja district. Their estimated population
is 400,000. In spite of their contact with the Gospel message 65 years
ago, when the Gospel of Mark was published in 1932, the Karimojong remain
unconcerned about modern civilisation. Their lives revolve around their
cattle, and they travel miles upon miles in search of water and grass for
their herds.
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Examining the new Karimojong New Testament
They have a hierarchy dependent on four eldership groups, who are appointed
at ceremonies. An individual cannot make an independent decision, they
have to abide by the authority of the group — which is why the Gospel has
been so restricted in the Karimojong community. However, the Karimojong
are highly religious people. They believe in a supreme being with whom
they communicate through natural objects like trees, rocks and mountains.
At their meetings they always ‘pray’, particularly if there is a problem
in the village. The elder leads them in a prayer of ‘cleansing’, so that
the village be rid of evil. They also pray for practical things such as
rain.
Risk of ambush
Travelling in Karimojong territory is unsafe: the warriors often ambush
vehicles and rob the passengers. The Bible Society staff heard of two such
incidents just a few days before they were due to travel to Moroto for
the launch ceremony: one involved a local bishop, who miraculously escaped
with his life; the other was more tragic, involving one of the translators,
who was shot dead along with two other passengers. The Bible workers prayed
for God’s protection as they began their dangerous journey.
Special project
"This project is very special to me, and I would not have missed the launch
for anything," said the Rev Canon Benezeri Kisembo, the Bible Society General
Secretary. "I saw the work begin in 1986; then from 1989-1996 I supervised
the project in the capacity of Translation Advisor; and now I am here to
see the New Testament being launched. It is highly rewarding to see a project
through from inception to fruition, and I praise the Lord for such a unique
opportunity. "Now my prayer is that this New Testament will speak to the
hearts of the entire Karimojong community and cause a godly change to take
place in their lives."
Translation work continues on the Old Testament, which it is estimated
will be completed in the next five years.
This page was last updated on Tuesday, 24th June
1997.