To'abiata Language
The To'abiata language is a Melanesian language spoken on north-west coast of Malaita Island in the south-eastern part of the Solomon Islands. It was formerly called Malu or Mwala-Malu, and is also known as Toqabaqita or Toʼambaita.
South Seas Evangelical Mission
Bible Translation into To'abaita was started by the South Seas Evangelical Mission. The South Seas Evangelical Mission started in 1904 as the Solomon Islands branch of the Queensland Kanaka Mission, which was established in 1886 on the Queensland coast. It changed its name to the South Sea Evangelical Mission in 1907.
Bible Translation
The first part of the Bible in To'abaita was the Gospel of Matthew. The translation was led by Mrs Louisa Charley and Miss Clara Waterston of the South Seas Evangelical Mission, working with a native speakers John Lamoinu. It was published by the New South Wales Auxiliary to the British and Foreign Bible Society in 1914. This was reprinted in 1918.
Next the Four Gospels and Acts were published in 1922. These were translated by Mrs Louisa Charley and Miss Clara Waterston of the South Seas Evangelical Mission, working with John Lamoinu.
New Testament
The whole New Testament was published in the Toa Baite dialect of the Mala language. It was translated by Louisa Charley and Clara Waterston of the South Seas Evangelical Mission with John Lamoinu and John Fosae. It was published as "Ṉa Alaofua Falu" in 1923 by the British and Foreign Bible Society (BFBS). The full name was: Ṉa Alaofua Falu Ṉa Lord Kulu ne Faamaruki Kulu na tha Jesus Christ.
New Testament 1949 Edition
The New Testament was reprinted in 1949. It was identical to the 1923 edition but it used a better word for 'forgiveness' in 47 places. 2,000 copies were published by the Commonwealth Council for the British and Foreign Bible Society. This was reprinted by the Bible Society of the South Pacific in 1983.
Old Testament Portions
Genesis, Nehemiah (Buka tha Nehemiah) and Psalms (Ṉa Buka ana Fa Ṉu Abu ki) were published by the British and Foreign Bible Society in Australia in 1951. It was called: Genesis bia Fa Ṉu Abu ki bia Buku tha Nehemiah. It was printed for the British and Foreign Bible Society in Australia by The Advertiser Printing Office in Marlborough Road, Adelaide.
Digital Edition
These Scriptures in To'abiata were combined and digitised with the help of MissionAssist in 2023.
