Tikopia is a Polynesian language in the Solomon Islands. The island (pop. 3,500) is known in the Solomons for its strong chiefly system. On the island only the Church of Melanesia has churches. Tikopians have also settled in a number of colonies on other islands in the Solomons, especially on Makira, Russell and Vanikolo.
Bible Translation into the Tikopia language
In 1984 some Tikopians attended a Bible translation workshop organised by the Bible Society. When it appeared that no ongoing work had resulted from this effort, Nico and Pam Daams, who were already working in the Solomon Islands with another Polynesian language group, contacted the COM bishop of the Temotu Diocese to see if they could assist with this project. The bishop appointed two translators, and these began to translate under the supervision of Nico Daams. After some weeks, only one translator continued, and in about 6 years he completed most of the Tikopian New Testament in first draft. Despite a number of efforts to get feedback from the general population, this failed, and in 1990 the project was put on hold. All the translated materials were available in small numbers to the various Tikopian communities.
In 2005 Nico and Pam received an email from the Tikopian ACOM priests on Tikopia to please come and help them complete the NT. Nico made two trips out to Tikopia, and two review committees were set up on Tikopia, and also a translation committee to be in charge of translating the remaining books. In 2013 the Anglican bishop of the Temotu Diocese has appointed Fr Walter Tamasia, a young Tikopian priest, to be the translation coordinator for the Tikopia project.