Cuuti kuli bamaama

A free picture book in Bemba by Violet Otieno

Cuuti kuli bamaama is a picture book in Bemba for ages 8–11 by Violet Otieno that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language

Bemba

Written by

Violet Otieno

Illustrated by

Catherine Groenewald

Translated by

Margaret Nambao, Agnes Chileshe Chibamba

Reading level

ages 8–11 · 3rd to 5th grade · Level 4 · Longer paragraphs

From

Zambia

Source

Global Storybooks

Licence

CC BY 4.0

Price

Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Cuuti kuli bamaama is a short illustrated picture book in Bemba by Violet Otieno, illustrated by Catherine Groenewald and translated by Margaret Nambao, Agnes Chileshe Chibamba. It is written for ages 8–11 (Grades 3–4) and is graded as Level 4 · Longer paragraphs, 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 4.0 licence, which is why it is free to read. The same story is available in 21 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Odongo na Apiyo baaleikala na bawishi ku kalaale. Lyonse baaleekabila saana ukuba pa cuuti. Tepamulandufye wakuti baaleisala isukulu lelo nico baalefwaisha ukuya mu kutandala kuli banakulu. Banakulu baaleikala mu mushi uwabalondo besabi uwali mupepi na cibeemba icikulu. Odongo na Apiyo…

Opening lines quoted from the openly licensed book (CC BY 4.0).

This story in other languages

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

• Asante Twi · Kɔsra Wɔn Nanabaa
• Dhopadhola · Ywomirok Bothi Adhadha
• Jamaican Creole · Alidie wid Granmaa
• Kaonde · Moba Akukokoloka na ba Nkambo Babakazhi
• Kichaga · Enda Irikira Mai
• Kiswahili · Likizo kwa bibi
• Lukhonzo · Ekihumuro E’wamukaka
• Lunda · Hakunoka na nkanka wamubanda
• Lunyole · Ohuŋumulira ewa nguhwa
• Luvale · Makumbi akunokha nakhaka waphwevo
• Mauritian Creole · Vakans kot granmer
• Sepedi · Re etela koko
• Somali · Fasaxyadii lala joogay ayeeyo
• Spanish · De vacaciones con la abuela
• Tonga · Mupumuno kuli Baneene
• Tsonga · Ku Endzela Kokwana Wa Xisati Hi Tiholideyi
• Tswana · Nako ya boikhutso le mmemogolo
• Turkana · Akilakin Ata Egolitoe Esukul
• Venda · Holodeyi Na Makhulu
• Xhosa · Ulilitha Noluniko Batyelela Umakhulu Wabo
• Zulu · Umondli Nombali Bavakashela Ugogo Wabo

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

• Ico imfubu ishakwatila umushishi
• Andiswa kateya wa mupila waku makasa
• Inkoko na Pungwa
• Inkonde shaba maama
• Iŋwena iyansala
• Ukwipika
• Tomu kashitisha wa nkonde
• Imbushi, Imbwa ne ŋombe

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “Cuuti kuli bamaama” free to read?

Yes. “Cuuti kuli bamaama” 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 4.0).

What language is “Cuuti kuli bamaama” in?

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

What age is “Cuuti kuli bamaama” for?

It is best for ages 8–11 (Level 4 · Longer paragraphs). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.

Is “Cuuti kuli bamaama” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in Turkana, Somali, Zulu, Xhosa, Sepedi, Tswana and more.

Who wrote “Cuuti kuli bamaama”?

“Cuuti kuli bamaama” was written by Violet Otieno and illustrated by Catherine Groenewald; the Bemba translation is by Margaret Nambao, Agnes Chileshe Chibamba.

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Credits: Cuuti kuli bamaama — Written by Violet Otieno; Illustrated by Catherine Groenewald; Translated by Margaret Nambao, Agnes Chileshe Chibamba. Bemba, Level 4. From Global Storybooks (storybookszambia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=12084). CC BY 4.0. · Page updated October 2026