Pijin Bibles

SIL Gerry Beimers and BSSP Donald Mitchell in celebration mood!

Thirty years after gaining their independence, the people of the Solomon Islands are celebrating another important landmark: the full Bible in Solomons Pijin. The launch of this Bible, the fruit of many years of hard work by translators, translation advisors and translation consultants, was celebrated on July 6 at St Barnabas Central in Honiara. Held on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the independence of the Solomon Islands and representing one of the key events in the government –sponsored Year of the Bible, the launch of the Pijin Bible was attended by prominent political and Church leaders.

The guests included Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua and Governor General Nathiel Waena with wives, members of the Solomon Islands Parliament, premiers of the provinces and government representatives from other Pacific Island countries. The hundreds of people who attended the event witnessed the Pijin translation team, escorted by traditional warriors, bringing the Pijin Bible into the cathedral in a war canoe. The three hour service, which was also broadcast nationwide at the national government’s cost, was very morning, filled with thanksgiving speeches and songs of praise to God. About 600 Bibles were sold immediately after the service. Reflecting the fact that this project was a joint undertaking of the Bible Society of the South Pacific, the summer Institute of Linguistics and the Solomon Islands Christian Association, the launch was also attended by the representatives of all these organization.

The Bible Society was represented by the Bible Society of the South Pacific Marketing Manager Donald Mitchell and UBS Translation Consultant Dr Carl Gross, who was also the consultant to the project. The preacher was UBS Translation Consultant Dr Alpheaus Zobule, a Solomon Islander. In honor of the Pijin Bible, the Prime Minister delivered his entire 45-minute speech at the Independence Day celebration the following day in Pijin rather than English. At this event, too, the Pijin translation team brought the new Bible in a war canoe to the representative of the Solomon Islands Christian Association, who then presented it to the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister symbolically accepted the Bible for the people of the Solomon Islands and it will now be placed on permanent display in the parliament building. Church leaders are also organizing launches elsewhere. After the launch in Honiara, Gizo town in Western Province held a week-long program involving all churches. At the end of the week, a march took place through the town to the soccer stadium where a launch service was held. At the end of the service, everyone rushed to the stage to buy a copy of the Bible. By making God’s Word easily accessible in such a widely spoken language, the Pijin Bible is set to become a rallying point in a multi – racial and multi-linguistic country that has been divided and torn by years of racial tension and political instability.