Tswana Bible History (3)

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Tswana...
SECHUANA.

"I.--GEOGRAPHICAL EXTENT AND STATISTICS.

THIS language is spoken by the Bechuana tribes of Southern and Central Africa: their country extends
from the Orange River to a little beyond the tropic of Capricorn, and lies between twenty-three
and twenty-nine degrees of east longitude.   On a rough calculation, it has been supposed that these
tribes, including the Griquas on the Orange River, may number from 25,000 to 30,000 individuals.
They are still in a state of barbarism, and possess no regular system of religion or superstition.   Their
government partakes both of a monarchical and patriarchal character, each tribe being governed by
chiefs, who are subordinate to the principal ruler, while at the same time they possess power to limit
his authority.

II.--CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS LANGUAGE.

The Sechuana-occupies a prominent place in the great Caffre family of languages.   Its elaborate
system of prefixes is substantially the same as the Caffre; and numerous affinities connect it with the
Mpongwe, the Suaheli, and all the other languages of the South African countries.   Various dialects
of Sechuana are employed by the numerous tribes of this great nation, but they are all separable into
two grand divisions, the eastern and the western stems.   The former comprises the dialects of the
Basutos, the Batlokua or Mantatees, the Batan, and of some other tribes not yet visited: the latter
includes the dialects spoken by the Baralong, the Batlapi, the Baharuti, and by several other tribes.
The Sechuana is of all languages of Southern Africa the most important.   It is richer and softer than
the Caffre, which has borrowed from the Hottentot language the peculiar articulation called ‘click,’
unknown in Sechuana dialects, except the Sitlokwe.   The Sechuana and Caffre languages, although
evidently of common origin, are nevertheless to be considered as distinct from each other, for all
practical purposes.   For instance, in Sechuana, there is a dual number that does not exist in Caffre,
likewise the sound r, which is never heard in Caffre, is common in Sechuana.   But the most striking

feature of this family of languages, is the Euphonic or Alliteral Concord; by which are understood the
changes that take place in the initial letters or syllables of words liable to inflexion, which are all
governed by rules of euphony, very remarkable in the language of tribes apparently so far removed
from civilisation.

III.--VERSION OF THE SCRIPTURES.

   A version of the New Testament into the Sitlapi, a western idiom of the Sechuana language, has
been executed by the Rev. Robert Moffat, of the London My. Society.   In the preparation of
this work he had the English version ever before him: he also consulted the Dutch and some other
versions, and occasionally referred to the German.   This translation in general faithfully follows the
English text; but some little deviations from that text occur in a few instances, occasioned by a pre-
ference entertained by Mr. Moffat for the corresponding Dutch rendering.
   The first portion of the Sechuana version committed to the press was the Gospel of St. Luke, printed
at Cape Town in 1831, under the personal superintendence of Mr. Moffat.   It had an extensive circu-
lation, and was exceedingly useful in laying the foundation of Christianity among the natives.
   The next was a small 8vo. volume of Scripture selections, arranged under the heads of Scripture
History, Miracles, Doctrine, etc.   A large edition of this was printed, and it is still used as the ordinary
school book of the colony.   This was followed by the publication of the whole New Testament, with
the book of Psalms, in one volume.   It was printed in London, under the eye of the translator (who
visited England for the purpose) in 1841, at the expense of the British and Foreign Bible Society--
the edition consisting of 5050 copies, a large number of which have been distributed amongst the
Bechuanas.
   From the date above mentioned down to a recent period, the labours of Mr. Moffat have been
sedulously devoted to the task of translating the Old Testament into the Sechuana language.   Different
books, as the translation has been completed, have been printed in succession at the Kuruman mission-
press, under the personal care and superintendence of Mr. Moffat.   The last remaining portion of the
work was completed in 1857, and that large section of the benighted population of South Africa to
whom the Sechuana language is familiar have now the inestimable privilege of being enabled to read
and study for themselves the entire Word of God.

IV.--RESULTS OF THE DISSEMINATION OF THIS VERSION.

   When the Gospel of St. Luke was the only portion of the Scriptures existing in this language,
there was abundant evidence to prove that this single Gospel had been blessed to the conversion of
souls.   The translator, Mr. Moffat, on his visit to England, avowed that this first effort at translation
was imperfect; "and yet (said he) I know that Gospel of St. Luke has been the means of leading many
a wanderer to the fold of God: there are many now ready to bear testimony that it was through hearing
this Gospel read or repeated that they were led to the knowledge of the Saviour, and the enjoyment
of His salvation."
   Some copies of the Sechuana New Testament were several years since distributed among the
Bakuenas, near the tropic of Capricorn, where many of the people had learned to read.   The chief, a very
intelligent man, who had been received into the church at that place, said one day, in reply to questions
put to him by some of his chief men, "I have been taught to read; I have read this book over and over
(pointing to the New Testament); I have read it with close attention; I understand it--though not all
that is written, for I am yet a child;--and no man can convince me that it is not the Word of God."
The dissemination of the New Testament in other parts of the Sechuana country has been attended
with equally gratifying results.   The Wesleyan mies. inform us that, in the Thaba-’Nchu circuit,
"the members of the church with but one exception, stand fast in the faith, having no disposition
to return to the beggarly elements of the world.   There is much unity of spirit among them, much
sympathy with each other in the persecutions to which their common religion exposes them, and

much provoking of one another to love and good works."   In a later report it is said that "many of
these native Christians might be pointed out as patterns worthy of imitation."   It is very gratifying
(remarks Mr. Moffat, in a recent communication) to observe the anxiety shown by so many of the natives
for those parts of the Sacred Volume not yet in circulation.   The New Testament has already done
much in enlarging their hearts and teaching them their duty not only to themselves, but also to their
fellow-men, in acts of liberality; and verily it requires great grace to accomplish this in Bechuana
hearts.   A new chapel has been completed at Thaba-’Nchu, large enough to accommodate 2500 people,
and this building, upon occasion of its opening, was crowded to excess."--The Bible of Every Land. (1860, Second Edition)   Samuel Bagster   [Info only]

SECHUANA.--1860   S. Bagster   [Info only: n.d. John 1:1-14 unknown.]

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