Did you know that the very first book of the Bible translated into Koalib was the Gospel of Mark, printed in 1937? From those small beginnings, more and more portions were added until, in 1967, something remarkable happened: the full New Testament was published in Koalib Ngirere in Khartoum.
The translation was the work of a group of missionaries, together with a committee of Sudanese believers. It was a team effort across cultures, united by one purpose: to bring the words of Jesus and the apostles into the heart language of the Koalib people.
More Than History – A Living Word
In 1994, the translation was revised, making the message clearer and easier to use in daily life. This shows something powerful: God’s Word in Koalib is not just a historical project, but a living voice that continues to grow with the community.
And the story isn’t over. Work on translating the Old Testament is ongoing. Imagine the hope and encouragement that will come when the entire Bible is available in Koalib—a treasure for worship, teaching, and passing on faith to future generations.
A Legacy for the Next Generation
For Gen Y and Gen Z in Sudan, the Koalib New Testament is more than an old book printed decades ago. It is part of your heritage—a reminder that your language, your culture, and your voice matter in the story of God’s kingdom. As new translation work continues, each generation has a role in shaping how God’s Word will sound in Koalib for years to come.
The journey that began in 1937 with the Gospel according to Mark is still alive today. The Word is growing, and you are part of that story.
Read the Koalib translation.
This is an article in a series about Sudan language Bible translations, which are highlighted for the International Translation Day on 30 September. Read more articles in the series: