The Bible has now been translated into Digo dialect, a move that will give a chance for the tribe, one of the nine sub tribes of the Mijikendas at the Coast to known how to read it.
The Digo community which resides in Kwale County will be able to read it in their own language after it was translated into ‘Kidigo’.
A big number of the Digo community is Muslim but some clans in the same sub tribe are Christians and attend churches.
However, the Bible Translation and Literacy (BTL), a non-governmental organization that focuses on translation of the Bible for minority tribes in Kenya has completed the first translation of the Holy book for both Old and New Testaments in the Digo dialect.
BTL Director Bishop Peter Munguti speaking during the launch and dedication ceremony at Kwale Cultural Centre within Kwale town said the translation brings to an end an exercise that was started 30 years ago.
“This is a success for the community and we hope that Christian leaders will use this to change people’s lives. With Kwale facing a number of socio-economic challenges, we believe religion is among these solutions,” he said.
Bishop Munguti said at least Sh3.5 million has been used to publish the Bible which will now be distributed among locals and leaders in the county and its environs with a copy going for Sh500.
Kwale County Education Executive Mangale Chiforomodo, said the translation will help enhance education literacy in the county as it will be easy for people to read and understand their own language.
“This Bible is going to be used as a catalyst for people to learn how to read first, and this will encourage more children and adults to join schools,” he said.
“Because it is in mother tongue, more children will be able to comprehend easily as compared to versions written in English or Swahili.
John Majepo, one of the Kwale residents who took part in the translation project said the project took a long time as a lot of things had to be put into consideration, which was time consuming.
“It took time because we were not just translating directly but because we were comparing with all the other Bible versions to ensure that it is written in a factual way where people will understand,” he said.
Muslim religious leaders have also lauded the move saying that this will help reduce the division and enmity that has been there between some Christians and Muslims.
Kwale Interfaith Council of Clerics Chairperson Sheikh Kassim Zani, said the division was earlier caused by failure of both religions to understand their teachings.
“There used to be a big divide between our different religions but I believe this will lead to unity and respect between religious leaders and faithful. Personally, I will get time to read the Bible and look at which sections it coincides with the Quran,” he said.
Bishop Munguti said more translations are currently underway targeting other communities across the country and soon, every community will have a Bible in its own language
The Digos become the second Mijikenda community to have a Bible translated in their language. In 2019, the Giriama Bible was launched in Kilifi, raising high hopes among the Mijikenda Community that are found in the Coast of Kenya.
“We are working with 25 groups of people in the Rendile, Tachoni, Kabras, Taveta and Tharaka. Among other Bibles that have been translated include that of the Giriama and Sabaoti,” he said.
