Abaana bepula

Name: Abaana bepula
Availability: InStock
Author: Southern African Folktale

A free picture book in Bemba by Southern African Folktale

Cover of Abaana bepula, a Bemba picture book

Abaana bepula is a picture book in Bemba for ages 5–8 by Southern African Folktale that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Bemba
Written by: Southern African Folktale
Illustrated by: Wiehan de Jager
Translated by: Agnes Chileshe Chibamba
Reading level: ages 5–8 · kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 2 · First sentences
From: Zambia
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Abaana bepula is a short illustrated picture book in Bemba by Southern African Folktale, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Agnes Chileshe Chibamba. It is written for ages 5–8 (Grades 1–2) and is graded as Level 2 · First sentences, so it works as a read-aloud for little ones and as practice for children learning to read in Bemba. The book comes from Global Storybooks and is shared under an open CC BY 3.0 licence, which is why it is free to read. The same story is available in 30 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Patiile akantu, kwali ulupwa ulwaikeele mu mutende ne nsansa. Tabatalile abalwa beka-beka. Baaleeyafwa abafyashi baabo pa ŋanda na mwibala. Nomba tabaaleebasuminisha ukupalama ku mulilo. Baaleebomba imilimo yabo yonse ubushiku. Pantu bapangilwe ne pula. Nomba umo pa balumendo aaleefwaisha ukuya panse…

Opening lines quoted from the openly licensed book (CC BY 3.0).

This story in other languages

Reading the same story in two languages helps bilingual children connect words they already know. “Abaana bepula” is also available in:

Reading together in Bemba

Read it aloud first, pointing at the pictures; then let your child “read” the pictures back to you.
Ask open questions: what happened, how did the character feel, what would you do?
Growing up with two languages? Talk about the story in whichever language feels easiest — the understanding carries over.

More free books in Bemba

See all 40 free Bemba books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩‍🏫 Assign this book to a class

Frequently asked questions

Is “Abaana bepula” free to read?

Yes. “Abaana bepula” is free to read online in Pagine on any phone, tablet or computer — no payment and nothing to download. It is openly licensed (CC BY 3.0).

What language is “Abaana bepula” in?

It is written in Bemba. Pagine has 40 free children’s books in Bemba.

What age is “Abaana bepula” for?

It is best for ages 5–8 (Level 2 · First sentences). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.

Is “Abaana bepula” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Kiswahili, EkeGusii, Kikamba, Kimaasai, Turkana and more.

Who wrote “Abaana bepula”?

“Abaana bepula” was written by Southern African Folktale and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Bemba translation is by Agnes Chileshe Chibamba.

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Credits: Abaana bepula — Written by Southern African Folktale; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Agnes Chileshe Chibamba. Bemba, Level 2. From Global Storybooks (storybookszambia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=2181). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026