Introduction / History

Three Kambu clans inhabit over thirty villages on a mountain range in the North West Province near the Nigerian border. The Kambu speak one of three dialects of Limbum.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Limbum people are agricultural. Women farm such crops as corn, beans, greens, potatoes and peanuts. They also grow cabbages, bananas and plantains. Men typically grow cash crops like coffee, and eucalyptus trees, and handle the livestock, house building, carpentry and mechanics.

What Are Their Beliefs?

About three-fourths of the Limbum speakers are Christian, and they have a large Evangelical presence. SIL first contacted the Limbum people in 1968. In 1981, translation began, and the final draft was reviewed by an interdenominational committee representing Baptist, Catholic and Presbyterian churches. A SIL member served as an exegetical advisor to the translation effort. In 2003, the New Testament translated by SIL was published by the Cameroon Bible Society and was dedicated. The JESUS Film in Limbum, sponsored by Campus Crusade for Christ, was dedicated at the same time as the New Testament. Hosanna Ministries made it available on cassette for 76 listening groups throughout the area.

Now that the translation of the New Testament is done, there is a great opportunity for Scriptural teaching. From 2002 to 2004, a team of four SIL members worked with the church to encourage the regular use of the translated Scriptures. They established Scripture Impact Seminars, facilitated the recording of choir songs, and provided equipment for a printing shop run by Limbum speakers that provides facilities for printing Limbum materials. These activities are now under the supervision of the interdenominational Limbum Scripture Impact Association, based in Nkambe.

What Are Their Needs?

The Limbum language is being taught in 16 primary schools whose students are mostly Limbum speakers. There is one pastor for every 1000 people. More than 200 churches are in the Limbum-speaking region.

Prayer Items

Pray for a complete Bible translation.
Pray for gospel materials to be widely distributed.
Pray for hearts that are open to the word of God.
Pray for Limbum-speaking disciples to make more disciples.

Scripture Prayers for the Kambu, Limbum in Cameroon.

References

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