Abana b’enimba

Name: Abana b’enimba
Availability: InStock
Author: Southern African Folktale

A free picture book in Lukhonzo by Southern African Folktale

Cover of Abana b’enimba, a Lukhonzo picture book

Abana b’enimba is a picture book in Lukhonzo 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: Lukhonzo
Written by: Southern African Folktale
Illustrated by: Wiehan de Jager
Translated by: Amos Mubunga Kambere
Reading level: ages 5–8 · kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 2 · First sentences
From: Uganda
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Abana b’enimba is a short illustrated picture book in Lukhonzo by Southern African Folktale, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Amos Mubunga Kambere. 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 Lukhonzo. 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

Kera kera habya omuyi mughuma owabya ikere n’obutseme. Isibalilhwa kutse eritsumangana. Abana ibakawathikaya ababuthi babo eka kandi n’omwirima. Aliryo isibalikiriribawa erighenda hakuhi nomuliro. Ibakakolha emibiri yabo yomwakiro. Kusangwa babya bakolire omw’animba eyikanyegha. Neryo omughuma okwabalhwana abya inyanzire erighenda okwamwisi. Nimwanabya…

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. “Abana b’enimba” is also available in:

Reading together in Lukhonzo

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 Lukhonzo

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “Abana b’enimba” free to read?

Yes. “Abana b’enimba” 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 “Abana b’enimba” in?

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

What age is “Abana b’enimba” for?

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

Is “Abana b’enimba” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Abana b’enimba”?

“Abana b’enimba” was written by Southern African Folktale and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Lukhonzo translation is by Amos Mubunga Kambere.

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Credits: Abana b’enimba — Written by Southern African Folktale; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Amos Mubunga Kambere. Lukhonzo, Level 2. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-uganda), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=2181). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026