HRH Eze Egbukole Okoroafor
Eze Egbukole Okoroafo was the first traditional ruler of Egbu Town Autonomous Community, who inaugurated a hereditary dynasty which has lasted one hundred and three years, this year. Hundred years ago, the early C.M.S. Missionaries from Onitsha led by Archdeacon T.J. Dennis arrived at Egbu in the afternoon of 15th May, 1905. On arrival at […]
Typical Translation
There were debates over particular words, with disagreements on the appropriate terms for “Holy” and “God.” • The Delta (Bonny) preferred “Tsiboke” for God.• While Onitsha’s term was “Cuku,” referring to a former consulting oracle.• In Isuama, “Une Cuku” means devil’s house.• They decided to represent the sound “tshi” with the letter C.• “Cineke” was […]
Archdeacon Dennis Residence in Egbu.
All Saints Cathedral, Egbu.
Thomas John Dennis
Thomas John Dennis was born the eldest son in a family deeply imbued with missionary spirit, with no fewer than eight members serving as missionaries of the Church Missionary Society (CMS). He was of a serious temperament, inclined toward books rather than sport. His most enduring legacy remains his translations of the New Testament, the […]
The End of an Era
The original manuscript of the Union Ibo Bible, written in Tom’s own handwriting, is held by the British and Foreign Bible Society and was sent to them as soon as the Bible was printed.Dennis’s death at the age of 47 was a severe blow to Mattie and the children, to his own family, and to […]
Battle of Igbo Bible Versions
On August 4, 1911, Baylis corresponded with the British and Foreign Bible Society (BFBS) regarding Dennis’s arrival in England, during which Dennis brought with him part of the Union Ibo Old Testament. On October 12, Dennis wrote from Bournemouth to the BFBS on behalf of the Niger Mission, requesting an Onitsha edition of the Union […]
Clash with Mbari Culture
Dennis opposed certain cultural practices in Egbu that he believed conflicted with Christian principles and insisted on their discontinuation. Among these practices was the Mbari tradition, which Dennis and his team destroyed. On January 25, 1910, the elders of Egbu visited Dennis to discuss the Ulo Mbari, fully aware of his strong objections. They expressed […]
Ministry in Egbu
A night school was established on December 27, 1906, with 50 young men attending to learn reading and writing. Two days later, Dennis convened the chiefs of the five villages of Egbu to discuss the construction of a schoolroom. The chiefs agreed to erect a building that would serve both as a church and a […]
Union Igbo Translation Work Begins
On November 20, 1906, Dennis and Anyaegbunam prepared for the Language Conference scheduled for November 26–27 in Egbu, convened to finalize procedures for a new Union Bible translation. Archdeacon Crowther and Rev. Boyle arrived ahead of the conference, with Boyle also bringing plant cuttings for Dennis to plant. Additional participants soon followed, including Anyaegbunam, A. […]