The Binumarien people live in remote villages in the Eastern Highlands Province. Once numbering over 3,000 people, in 1958 their numbers had dwindled to only 111 due to fighting and disease. It was then that SIL staff Des and Jenny Oatridge arrived and began working with the Binumarien people to develop a writing system for the language, to promote literacy, and to translate the New Testament, which was completed in 1984.
Since then, many of the people have been changed through God’s Word. Tribal fighting among themselves and with other groups is much less common, and their population has made a dramatic recovery to over 1,000 people.
The translation team is currently led by Namondi Unare, the grandson of Tuluo Sisia, Des Oatridge’s chief language consultant. He says, ‘Now we are following God’s light and we no longer get up and fight. God has protected us and we are doing well and prospering. God is our fortress. When there was a call for battle everyone used to say, “Let’s go!” Now people aren’t wanting to fight. They just stay and pray to God. They say it’s not alright to kill people or steal or lie.’
At one point, some Binumariens wanted to buy a New Testament. Their thirty-two-year-old New Testaments were worn out due to much use and the harsh tropical environment. One man showed his New Testament that had lost its cover. The pages were stained by smoke from the wood fires that the Binumarien make in their houses for cooking and warmth. Concerns were also raised that the young people did not have their own copies. Unfortunately, no more Bibles were available at that time.
However, on 16 June 2018 a New Testament revision with five Old Testament books was dedicated. The publication of this volume is strengthening the language group’s use of their local language, helping to preserve their rich cultural identity, and contributing to the ongoing spiritual transformation of the community.
Over six decades since language development began, work continues as Namondi and his team strive toward translating the whole Bible, with the goal of helping their people continue to thrive both spiritually and socially.
