THE long-awaited Thangkhal Holy Bible was officially released on 17 October 2023 during a special programme held at TBC Central Church, Tuibuang. The Bible was launched by Rev Dr Kavito G. Zhimo, General Secretary of the Bible Society of India (BSI), Bangalore, through a video conference.

The Bible releasing event opened with a hymn about God’s faithfulness, followed by an invocation prayer from Rev Genzatung. On behalf of the Thangkhal Baptist Church, Elder Hangkhankhup then welcomed everyone, noting that while many tribes have had several Bible revisions, this was the first complete Bible for the Thangkhal community.

The TBC Male Voice presented a song, and greetings were shared by Rev Dr Vanmawia on behalf of the BSI Lamka branch. He encouraged the community to consider producing a Pulpit Bible and a Children’s Bible in the future.

Additional greetings came via video conference from Rev Dr Yiepetso Wezah, Auxiliary Secretary, Dimapur, and Elder R. Vanlaltlana, Senior Translation Adviser from the BSI Translation Centre in Shillong.

Elder Thangkhanmang, President of TBC, expressed gratitude to BSI, church leaders from various denominations, and everyone who contributed to the making of the Bible. An official from the TBC IFCA-I Head Office also shared words of thanks.

Rev Thangdoulal Suantak, the Old Testament translator, presented the translation report. He attended his first training in September 2015 in Dimapur, and the translation work began in January 2016 at the TBC Head Office. Over the years, several committees and review teams worked tirelessly from 2016 to 2024, meeting numerous times to ensure accuracy and clarity.

As a gesture of appreciation, TBC leaders, led by Pastor Hangmuanlian, presented Rev Thangdoulal with gifts, including a traditional Thangkhal shawl (Puanlaisan). The Central Women Department led by Ms Chinglam also presented a shawl, sharing that they had prayed for many years to hold a Bible in their own language. Rev K. Ginkhankap, translator of the New Testament, was also honoured.

BSI Translation Director Rev Dr Along Jamir delivered a message via video, saying that God’s Word is meant to give life to everyone. After this, the Bible was formally released by Rev Dr Kavito G. Zhimo. Rev Hangmuanlian received the Bible and offered a thanksgiving prayer.

Rev T. Chinminlian gave the vote of thanks, acknowledging all who participated and contributed. The programme closed with the hymn “Toupa Na Vangbuakna Pha” (The Good Blessing of God) and a benediction by Rev Thanglet Mate, followed by a grand feast. The event was jointly organised by the Thangkhal Baptist Church and the Bible Society of India (BSI) Bangalore, with Pastor Dr Kammuanmung serving as moderator.

This day marked the fulfilment of a long-held dream for the Thangkhal people, who thanked God for His blessings and for granting them the Bible in their own language.

In 1910, the Zo people first received the gospel in Senvawn, southern Manipur, through the ministry of Watkin Roberts, a Welsh missionary based in Aizawl.

During the First World War, two Mizo evangelists—Thangchhingpuia and Vanzika—visited Thangkhal Hills to preach the Gospel. However, they faced a major difficulty: the Thangkhal people could not understand the Lusei (now Mizo) dialect. Because of this language barrier, their message did not lead to any conversions, and the two missionaries eventually stopped their work among the Thangkhals.

The message later reached the Thangkhal community when Evangelist Thawngluan brought the gospel to T. Khajang village on 7 March 1939. The Thangkhals went on to establish their own church in 1981, and it continues to serve the community today.

In 2010, Rev. K. Ginkhankap’s translation of the Thangkhal New Testament (NT) was released at TBC Central Church.

For many years, the Thangkhal people relied on Bibles in other languages. A woman at the event happily said, “It is a joyful moment to finally have the Bible in our own hands. I was so happy that tears came out.”

But from this day forward, they finally have the Word of God in their own heart language. Thanks be to God!

The Thangkhal Bible is priced at Rs 600 per copy.

~ KHALVONTAWI NEWS

THANGKHAL BIBLE (Pasian Laisiangthou)

Total Word Count: 49,55,488
Total Vocabulary: 34,759

Translation Committee (2016–2019)

Chairman: Elder Thangkhanmang
Secretary: Rev. Thangdoulal Suantak
Ex-officio: Rev. S. Thangnou
Members:
- Elder Nengsuanthang
- Elder Kampau
- Rev. T. Chinminlian
- Elder Hangkhankhup

Review Check (2016–2019)

Elder Nengsuanthang
Elder Kampau
Rev. Thangdoulal Suantak

Translation Committee & Review Check Committee (2020–2021)

Elder Hangkhankhup
Rev. Thangdoulal Suantak
Ex-officio: Rev. T. Chinminlian
Members:
- Elder Kampau
- Elder Thangchinsuan

Translation Committee (2022–2024)

Chairman: Elder Hangkhankhup
Secretary: Elder Kampau
Ex-officio: Rev. Thangdoulal Suantak
Members:
- Elder Thangchinsuan
- Rev. T. Chinminlian

Number of Review Check Meetings

2016: 5 meetings
2017: 17 meetings
2018: 19 meetings
2019: 25 meetings
2020: 15 meetings
2021: 27 meetings
2022: 35 meetings

For more information, watch the videos

Rev. Dr. Kavito Zhimo from Nagaland is the first General Secretary of the Bible Society of India (BSI) from Northeast India. He assumed office on 1st March 2023, succeeding Rev. Dr. Mani Chacko, who led BSI for 12 years (2011–2023). The Bible Society of India was established in 1811.