The Language That “Should Not Be Written”
“The language should not be written.”
That’s what Bakoko patriarchs once told church leaders who wanted to begin Bible translation in their communities. The 14 clans of the Bakoko make their home in southern Cameroon, where currents of African Traditional Religion run deep. According to those who practice it, creating a writing system for the Bakoko language would have made it subject to foreign corruption and no longer worthy of preserving the secrets of witchcraft and magic, many of which find their source in the Sanaga River. This river has been so important to the Bakoko way of life that worshiping its water spirits has become a normal part of their ebb and flow.
But flash forward 20 years, and you’ll find that, by God’s grace, a new tide has been changing the landscape!
On July 20, 2024, next to that same river—and in the rain, no less—the Bakoko celebrated the dedication of their New Testament. Félix, a man who was involved in the translation process, said of Scripture, “I’ve gotten a taste for it. It has become my passion to read God’s Word in my language.”
Only about 100 community members managed to attend the rainy dedication; nonetheless, an undercurrent of joy flooded the small crowd. Community and church leaders, government representatives, television reporters, and members from partner organizations all came together to celebrate the momentous arrival of Bakoko Scripture. A young boy and girl carried the New Testaments wrapped in leaves within a small wooden canoe and brought them to the translation consultant. As they walked, they were surrounded by translators, committee members, and women from the choir, rowing through the air with their canoe paddles and singing joyfully.
Several Bakoko read key passages of Scripture. One focused on the Great Commission. Another, the need to share the gospel with others since they have the New Testament in their language. But what undergirded it all was the truth they are now growing to embrace: a new identity in Christ. As one reader shared:
“[Y]ou are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people.” — 1 Peter 2:9b–10a (NLT)
Praises to our God who has revealed Himself as the true river of life to the Bakoko—from the patriarchs, to the churches, to every Bakoko speaker who now knows He speaks openly to them, using their once shrouded-in-darkness language as the very source by which to carry His light.
And all because they are experiencing the truth of His Word—written down—just for them.
