Joyful Thanksgiving for Mother Tongue Bibles in Manipur — Thadou and Simte

The gospel first came to Manipur in the north-east of India around the start of the 20th century through British missionaries. The task of providing accurate Scriptures for the tribal languages continues, but two thanksgiving services in February 2023 marked notable milestones for projects by the Trinitarian Bible Society.

The Thadou are the largest tribe in Manipur numbering around 300,000. They first received the New Testament in 1973 and now fifty years later, a congregation (mostly young people) attended a thanksgiving service in Damdei, Manipur for the full Bible. Rev. Vumthang Sithlou, brother of one of the now deceased translators, reminded those gathered of the history. Just over a hundred years ago there had been a war between the Thadou and the British. They embraced the gospel afterwards and now through the TBS, British people had helped to provide the Scriptures and preserve their language through this publication.

Dale Money of firstBible International was able to describe the moment when the printed words first appeared as the ink hit the page on the press.

A vast congregation of believers from the Simte tribe gathered in Churachandpur, Manipur to give thanks for the publication of the revised Simte Bible. The Simte first received the New Testament in 1975, followed by the whole Bible in 1992. Around 15 years later, it became clear that areas of revision were necessary, this revised edition has now been printed (also through firstBible International). Copies reached the Simte during 2022 to great jubilation. Still, it was very clear that many more copies were needed so that everyone could have their own copy.

Many had read through the Bible from cover to cover within weeks. One man had copied it entirely by hand. The length of the service and the hearty enthusiasm of all underlined the same joy.

These are only two of eight current TBS translation projects in Manipur, some of which are also close to completion.