Inkoko na Pungwa

Name: Inkoko na Pungwa
Availability: InStock
Author: Ann Nduku

A free picture book in Bemba by Ann Nduku

Cover of Inkoko na Pungwa, a Bemba picture book

Inkoko na Pungwa is a picture book in Bemba for ages 5–11 by Ann Nduku that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

📖 Read it free →

Language: Bemba
Written by: Ann Nduku
Illustrated by: Wiehan de Jager
Translated by: Sandra Mulesu
Reading level: ages 5–11 · kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade · Level 3 · First paragraphs
From: Zambia
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Inkoko na Pungwa is a short illustrated picture book in Bemba by Ann Nduku, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Sandra Mulesu. It is written for ages 5–11 (Grades 2–3) and is graded as Level 3 · First 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 3.0 licence, which is why it is free to read. The same story is available in 27 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Patiile akantu, Inkoko na Pungwa baali fibusa. Baleikala mu mutende ne fyuni fimbi. Ifyuni fyonse tafyalepupuka. Ubushiku bumo, kwaliponene insala. Pungwa aile aleefwaya ifyakulya ukutali saana. Abwelele ninshi nanaka saana. “Kufwile kwabako inshila yakwendelamo ukwabuka ukucuula!” efyasosele Pungwa. Panuma yakubuuka…

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. “Inkoko na Pungwa” 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 “Inkoko na Pungwa” free to read?

Yes. “Inkoko na Pungwa” 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 “Inkoko na Pungwa” in?

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

What age is “Inkoko na Pungwa” for?

It is best for ages 5–11 (Level 3 · First paragraphs). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.

Is “Inkoko na Pungwa” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Kiswahili, EkeGusii, Somali, Xhosa, Afrikaans and more.

Who wrote “Inkoko na Pungwa”?

“Inkoko na Pungwa” was written by Ann Nduku and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Bemba translation is by Sandra Mulesu.

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Credits: Inkoko na Pungwa — Written by Ann Nduku; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Sandra Mulesu. Bemba, Level 3. From Global Storybooks (storybookszambia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=2084). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026