Kauana Bible

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Kauana Bible (KSDPNG)

Overview

The Kauana Bible is the Holy Bible in the Kuanua language of Papua New Guinea, with the earliest Scripture portions dating to 1882. Kuanua (also known as Tolai or Tinata Tuna) was among the first languages of Papua New Guinea to receive translated Scripture. The pioneering translation work began with the Reverend George Brown (1835-1917) of the Australian Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society, who arrived on the shores of the Gazelle Peninsula in October 1875. [1] Brown, working with Fijian teacher Peni Lelei, translated the Gospel of Mark, which was published in Sydney by the British and Foreign Bible Society in 1882. [2] Further translation was carried out by the Reverend Benjamin Danks (1853-1921) and Isaac Rooney, who translated the Gospel of Matthew along with portions of Luke, John, and the Psalms, published in 1886. [2] [3] The complete Bible in Kuanua was eventually published by the Bible Society of Papua New Guinea in 1999. [4] The text is now in the public domain.

Translation History

The translation of Scripture into Kuanua followed the establishment of the Wesleyan Methodist mission in New Britain. George Brown led the first missionary party to the Duke of York Islands and the Gazelle Peninsula in 1875. [1] Benjamin Danks joined the mission in 1878 and became highly regarded as a linguist, publishing the first book in the Tolai language. [3] Over the following century, translation work continued through multiple stages, culminating in the complete Bible published in 1999. [4]

Language and People

Kuanua (ISO 639-3: ksd) is spoken by approximately 120,000 people in Papua New Guinea, Map 12. [Glottolog: kuan1248]

Kuanua is an Austronesian language of the Oceanic branch, spoken by the Tolai people of the Gazelle Peninsula in East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea. [2] The Tolai are one of the most prominent and historically influential groups in Papua New Guinea, with a long history of contact with European missionaries and traders.

Publishing and Organizations

Published by Bible Society of Papua New Guinea.

References