Project Profile

Nkoya OT | Nkoya

The Nkoya people of Zambia live primarily in Western Province, the poorest region of the country. They are a proud people who, unlike the majority of the country’s 72 tribal peoples, have strongly resisted assimilation into the larger culture. Most live in isolated rural areas where they struggle to survive as subsistence farmers. Fewer than 10 percent are Christians.

For most of its history, the Nkoya Church has functioned without mother-tongue Scriptures. Believers live out their faith by avoiding worldly vices, the worship of idols and other practices associated with African traditional religion.

In the past, Bible translation for the Nkoya met with numerous delays and setbacks. But a new translation of the New Testament was recently completed. Now a highly-motivated team is anxious to begin work on the Nkoya Old Testament, and the project has found widespread support from church and community leaders. Equipped with the whole Bible, Nkoya churches will grow in their understanding of God and His ways, and learn how to cast off shackles of fear and shame.

News from the Field
  • Jan31

    Nkoya Speakers of Zambia

    The Nkoya live primarily in Western Province, the poorest region of the country. They are a proud people who, unlike the majority of the country’s 72 tribal peoples, have strongly resisted assimilation into the larger culture. Most live in isolated rural areas where they struggle to survive as subsistence farmers. Fewer than 10 percent are Christians. For most of its history, the Nkoya Church has functioned without mother-tongue Scriptures. Believers live out their faith by avoiding worldly vices, the worship of idols and other practices associated with African traditional religion.

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