The organization called “Global Recording Network” produced several “Words of Life” audio recordings in Ethiopia as early as in the 1950s and 1960s.
In some languages, indigenous gospel songs were used as bridges between the (mostly translated) audio tracts.
The number of songs on the individual albums is estimated on the basis of the respective playlist and may therefore differ from the actual number.
Cushitic
Afar
Words of Life, vol. 1 (about 2 songs), © 1967
Words of Life, vol. 2 (about 2 songs), © 1967
Arusi (Arsi Oromo)
Words of Life, vol. 1 (2 long tracks with songs), © 1967
Words of Life, vol. 2 (1 song), © 2007
Awngi: Kwolla
Words of Life (2 long tracks with songs), © 1963
Borana (Borana Oromo)
Words of Life (about 7 songs), © 1966
Borana: Gabbra
Words of Life, vol. 1 (about 6 songs), © 1978
Words of Life, vol. 2 (about 7 songs), © 1986
Words of Life, vol. 3 (several songs), © 1986
Songs (approx. 42 minutes, no date [1986?])
Burji
Songs (approx. 40 minutes), © 1987
Words of Life (about 2 translated songs included), © 1966
Gedeo
Words of Life (several songs [although not indicated]), © 1959
Guji (Guji Oromo)
Words of Life (about 8 songs), ©1959
Hadya [i.e., Hadiyya]
Words of Life, vol. 1 (about 5 songs), © 1959
Words of Life, vol. 2 (about 3 songs), © 1959
Kambatta [Kambaata]
Words of Life, vol. 1 (about 1 songs), © 1959
Words of Life, vol. 2 (about 2 songs), © 1959
Komso [Konso]
Words of Life (about 1 song), © no date
Oromo: Wellega
Words of Life (about 7 songs [cf. “Galata Waaqayyoo”?]), © 1967
Sidamo
Words of Life, vol. 1 (about 13 + 2 songs), © 1957
Words of Life, vol. 2 (about 1 song), © 2007
Somali
Words of Life (about 7 songs), © 1966
Omotic
Aari
Words of Life (about 3 songs), © 1967
Banna [Hamer-Banna]
Jesus is the Road to Heaven (about 1 song), © 2017
Bench
Words of Life, vol. 1 (about 12 songs), © 1959
Words of Life, vol. 2 (about 17 songs), © 1959
Daasanech
Music, Songs, Bible verses (about 14 songs), © 1997
Dezi [i.e., Dizin]
Words of Life, vol. 1 (about 5 songs), © 1966
Words of Life, vol. 2 (about 1 song), © 1966
Gamognia [Gamo]
Words of Life, vol. 1 (about 1 song), © 1959
Words of Life, vol. 2 (about 1 song), © 2007
Kafa
Words of Life (about 3 songs), © 1967
Male [i.e., Maale]
Words of Life (about 1 song), © 1967
Oyda
Words of Life (1 single track with 1 [?] song), © 1959
Wolayta
Acts 1-5 (several chants included), no date
John & Romans selection (chantes included), no date
Yemsa [Yem]
Words of Life (about 1 song), © 1958
Nilo-Saharan
Anuak
Words of Life, vol. 1 (about 6 songs), © 1979
Words of Life, vol. 2 (about 4 songs), © 1979
Words of Life, vol. 3 (about 6 songs), © 1979
Berta
Words of Life (about 2 songs), © 1956
Gumuz: Gesso
Words of Life (about 1 song), 1967
Kunama [mainly in present Eritrea]
Words of Life (about 5 songs), © 1967
Nuer (Eastern)
Words of Life (about 4 songs), © 1966
Tashena (i.e., Me’en: TishenaI
Words of Life, vol. 2 (about 2 translated songs), © 1966
Semitic
Amharic
Words of Life, vol. 1 (about 2 songs), © 1966
Words of Life, vol. 2 (about 5 songs), © 1966
Tigre [i.e., Tegre, in current Eritrea]
Words of Life (about 5 songs), © 1967
Tigrinja [Tegrennya]
Words of Life, vol. 1 (about 4 songs), © 1956
Words of Life, vol. 2 (about 3 songs), © 1967
Words of Life, vol. 3 (about 5 songs), © 1983
Further reading
Ritter, Stefan (2004). „Talking Tracts“: Beobachtungen zur Theologie und Komposition der hadiyyasprachigen Kassetten Words of Life I & II. Senior paper presented to ELM, Hermannsburg. [view online]
Thompson, Phyllis. Count It All Joy: The Story of Joy Ridderhof & Gospel Recordings. Los Angeles, CA: Gospel Recordings, 1978. [Ch. 8: To Africa (including Ethiopia); view online]
Videos
“Words of Life” in Southern Ethiopia
(ft. SIM missionary Dick McLellan, probably late 1960s)
Interview with the founder (c. 1974):
70th anniversary (2009):
