Provisional bibliography of the Nkoya people, language, history and culture

compiled by Tatashikanda (Prof. Wim van Binsbergen)

The bibliographical sketches below constitute a first attempt and do not aim at completeness. Emphasis is on publications in which the Nkoya people, language, history and culture feature centrally. The number of publications in which passing reference is made to Nkoya is much larger, and largely coincides with the bibliography of Zambia / South Central Africa as a whole. 

REQUEST. Anyone who is aware of published or unpublished work concerning the Nkoya people, language, history or culture that does not appear in this page and in the linked bibliography pages, please send us an e-mail message listing the details. And if possible, send us an electronic copy of the work in question by e-mail, or a photocopy by ordinary mail (click here for contact details

1. Published work in the Nkoya language 

(as listed in W. van Binsbergen, Tears of Rain, 1992)

In addition to the New Testament and Psalms (Testamenta 1952), Muhumpu (Anonymous n.d.(b)), and the 1988 popular edition of Likota lya Bankoya (van Binsbergen 1988, revised version reprinted in Tears of Rain, 1992), the following published texts in Nkoya exist and are in my possession:[1]

a. pious tracts

     Muyilu: tu ka kuma muyilu nahiti, pious tract, 4 unnumbered pages, mainly bible quotations, mimeo, s.l., n.d., s.n., 12.9 x 10.2 cm. The mimeographed text, with crude illustrations, is a literal translation of a tract entitled Heaven... how to get there, © 1962 International Child Evangelism Fellowship, Grand Rapids, Michigan (USA).

     Nzila Ya Ku Puluka, Salisbury (S. Rhodesia): Scripture Gift Mission, n.d. [1961?], 32 numbered pages, mainly bible quotations, 12 x 7.5 cm; there is also a more recent edition, 22 numbered pages, n.d., London: Scripture Gift Mission.

       Yuvwililenu!, Salisbury (S. Rhodesia): Scripture Gift Mission, n.d. [1964?], 16 unnumbered pages, bible quotations, 12.3 x 7.6 cm.

     Izenu!, Salisbury (S. Rhodesia): Scripture Gift Mission, n.d. [1964?], 16 unnumbered pages, bible quotations, 12.3 x 7.6 cm.

     Mutima wa Muntu, Pretoria: Pan-African Gospel Publishers, 1958, 32 numbered pages, 12.2 x 18 cm. The back cover states that the same text has been published in nearly forty other specified languages spoken in Africa; there is also a different edition of the same text: Mutima wa Muntu, Pretoria: All Nations Gospel Publishers, n.d., 32 numbered pages, 17.9 x 12.2 cm.

     Scripture Union 1973, calendar, s.l., s.n., n.d. [1972], folder, 6 pages, 15.2 x 9.8 cm., title in English but text in Nkoya.

     Nyambi U Namba, Salisbury (S. Rhodesia): Scripture Gift Mis­sion, n.d. [1961?], 16 numbered pages, bible quotations, 12 x 7.5 cm.

     Mubala ngani wa mutima wobe?, s.l., n.d., s.n., 6 unnumbered pages, mainly bible quotations and illustrations, 10.5 x 8.8 cm., mimeo; translation of a similarly illustrated tract What is the ‘color’ of your heart?, n.d.: Fort Lauderdale (Florida, USA): Good News Printers.

     Libuka lya Bizila: Ndi muntu unafu ukuya kuti? Kati nimwabo bakashanguka? Nyambi yani? 1973, Ndola: Christian Publishers (A.E.F.) [= Africa Evangelical Fellowship], 22 numbered pages, 10 x 16 cm, Bible quotations mixed with explanatory text.

       Tumalombelo twa Mutena Numwawo, 1973, Ndola: Christian Publishers (A.E.F.) [= Africa Evangelical Fellowship], 15 numbered pages, illustrated, prayers, 10 x 16.4 cm.

     Myaso-Nyimbo-Lipina: Mbunda-Shinkoya-Lozi, n.d. Ndola: Christian Publishers, Christian Education Department, book of standard hymns in the three languages specified, c. one third of contents is in Nkoya, 76 numbered pages, 12.3 x 18.1 cm.

b. school primers

     Kalabisho ka Shinkoya sub A, 1954, Mankoya: Luampa Mission, 32 numbered pages, 17.9 x 12.1 cm.

     Libuku lya Wubili sub B, 1954, Mankoya: Luampa Mission, 32 numbered pages, 17.9 x 12.1 cm.

N.B. The Makiyi manuscript[2] mentions, besides these ‘primers sub A and sub B’, and the New Testament, one Nkoya book I do not have nor know: Lwendo lya MukaJesu [‘The Christian’s Journey’], and adds the specification: ‘for Standards I and II and even higher’.[3]

 

2. Scholarly works directly relating to the Nkoya

click here to open the list of publications directly relating to the Nkoya people, language, history and culture

 

3. Scholarly works that can be fruitfully consulted for background and comparative information concerning the Nkoya

click here to open the selected list of background publications that may be fruitfully consulted in the context of the study of the Nkoya people, language, history and culture

 

 

 

 

 

Page last modified on 28-10-14 .