Ezra Baya Lawiri

Ezra Baya Lawiri (c. 1917 – 29 March 1991) was a Sudanese teacher, Episcopalian priest and scholar, responsible for translating The Bible into the Moru language. He is commemorated by a statue in niche 174 on the Great West Front of Salisbury Cathedral.

Early life He was born in Lanyi, in Sudan and attended school there from 1927. He then went to Lui Elementary Vernacular School (CMS) in 1930 for two years. He was appointed sub-grade teacher at the age of 15 and later attended a training course for teachers in 1937.

Baya Lawiri committed himself to Christianity in 1934 and was baptised Ezra. In 1936 while working at Kedi’ba Village School he met his wife Hanna and they were married the same year. They later produced six children – three boys and six girls. In 1937 Ezra was transferred to Mideh sub-grade school as headmaster where he worked until 1944.