Krapf’s resource persons in Bible translation

Languages in the Horn of Africa

1. Oromo

During his stay in Ankober from 1839 to 1841, Krapf and his teenage servant Barkii translated several biblical books into Oromo.

In 1866, the formerly enslaved Ruufoo arrived in Germany and translated the New Testament into Oromo with Krapf.

However, this translation was not published immediately, as Krapf received an Oromo translation of the Gospels from Aläqa Zännäb and subsequently also of the other biblical books.

Aläqa Zännäb, who did not come from an Oromo family, prepared the translations with the help of the native speakers Jaagan, Waaree, Shoolaan, and Gäbrä Maryam.

For details, see Krapf’s and Zännäb’s collaborators in the translation of the Bible into Oromo.

2. Amharic

Group of Ethiopian students from St. Chrischona Pilgrim Mission’s Training Institute in late 1871 (or early 1872):

From left: Gebru Desta (alias Gobaw), Mika’el Aregawi, Haylu Wossen, Wilhelm (alias Engdashet) Schimper jun., Semani Dani’el, Agaze Sahlu, and Sanbetu Dani’el
[cf. W. Smidt, “St. Chrischona Pilgermission”, in Encyclopaedia Aethiopica,
vol. 4, p. 731. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, 2010]

The following students are very likely to have assisted Krapf in revising the Amharic Bible during his stays at St Chrischona in the early 1870s. Wolde Sellasie and Gebru Desta also worked with Krapf for several months in Korntal (Germany):

  • Mika’el Aregawi
    lived in Switzerland and Southwest Germany from May 1868 until October 1873.
  • Gebru Desta (alias Gobaw)
    lived in Switzerland and Southwest Germany from May/June 1871 until late 1877.
  • Wolde Sellasie Kenfu
    stayed in Switzerland and Southwest Germany from May 1872 until Spring 1874.
  • (?) Semani Dani’el
    (Cf. Minutes of the board meeting in October 1871)
  • (?) Haylu Wossen
    stayed in Switzerland from May/June 1871 until his death on 19 July 1872.

3. Tigrinya

Matewos (ca. 1800 – after 1840s)

Matewos was hired to translate the 4 Gospel into Tigrinya. His version was revised by Isenberg and published by Krapf.

Further reading

Smidt, Wolbert. “Matewos”, in Encyclopaedia Aethiopica, vol. 5, ed. A. Baussi in cooperation with S. Uhlig, p. 421. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, 2014:

  • Smidt refers to his article “Matewos” in Biographisch-Bibliographisches Kirchenlexikon, vol. 30, ed. T. Bautz, cols. 971‒74. Hamm: Bautz, 2009. (Lit.)

East African Languages

4. Kiswahili

4.1 Sheikh Ali Ben Mueddin

From Barawa; qadi of Mombasa, helped Krapf translate Genesis into Kiswahili (Krapf, Travels, p. 131).

4.2 Amri

A servant of Krapf, who also helped him as a resource person in linguistic and ethnological matters. (Barsik, Wissenschaft, p. 92)

4.3 Muidani

A Muslim who knew Arabic and Kiswahli; assisted Krapf in translating the Bible. (Barsik, p. 92)

5. Mijikenda

5.1 Sheikh Ali Ben Mueddin

(He appears to have been more proficient in Kiswahili than in Mijikenda)

6. Kikamba

?

7. Kipokomo

Hajji Omar

A Pokomo from Takaungu; converted to Islam.

8. Chiyao (alias Kihiáu)

Kamanga Lad

A person from a neighbouring ethnic group who nevertheless spoke this language.

9. Orma (Southern Oromo)

Hajji Omar

s. above (Kipokomo)

References

Bursik, Heinrich. „Wissenschaft u. Mission sollen sich aufs innigste miteinander befreunden“. Geographie und Sprachwissenschaft als Instrumente der Mission – der Afrikareisende Johann Ludwig Krapf. Saarbrücken: AV Akademikerverlag, 2014. [= M.A. thesis; view online; esp. p. 91-92]

Krapf, Johann Ludwig. Vocabulary of Six East African Languages (Kisuáheli, Kiníka, Kikámba, Kipokómo, Kihiáu, Kigálla) composed by the Revd. Dr. J. L. Krapf. Tübingen: Fues, 1850. [Google Books]

Krapf, Johann Ludwig. Travels, Researches, and Missionary Labours during an Eighteen Years’ Residence in Eastern Africa […; abridged version of Krapf (1858), Reisen]. London: Trübner, 1860. [View online]