Kushinkanya kwaka Maimba

Name: Kushinkanya kwaka Maimba
Availability: InStock
Author: Zulu folktale

A free picture book in Kaonde by Zulu folktale

Cover of Kushinkanya kwaka Maimba, a Kaonde picture book

Kushinkanya kwaka Maimba is a picture book in Kaonde for ages 8–11 by Zulu folktale that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Kaonde
Written by: Zulu folktale
Illustrated by: Wiehan de Jager
Translated by: Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo
Reading level: ages 8–11 · 3rd to 5th grade · Level 4 · Longer paragraphs
From: Zambia
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Kushinkanya kwaka Maimba is a short illustrated picture book in Kaonde by Zulu folktale, illustrated by Wiehan de Jager and translated by Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo. 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 Kaonde. 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 18 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Jino kejishimikila jakwa Ngede aye Maimba, ne nsongwalume witemwa utelwa amba Gingile. Juuba jimo Gingile waile nakwipaya nyama kabiji waumvwine Ngede saka abena kwita. Mukanwa mwakwa Gingile mwatendekele kuyula mate pakulanguluka buuki. Waimene ne kuteleka bulongo, wakenketele pakatu wamona kañonyi…

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. “Kushinkanya kwaka Maimba” is also available in:

Reading together in Kaonde

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 Kaonde

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “Kushinkanya kwaka Maimba” free to read?

Yes. “Kushinkanya kwaka Maimba” 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 “Kushinkanya kwaka Maimba” in?

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

What age is “Kushinkanya kwaka Maimba” for?

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

Is “Kushinkanya kwaka Maimba” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Kiswahili, Somali, Zulu, Afrikaans, Tswana and more.

Who wrote “Kushinkanya kwaka Maimba”?

“Kushinkanya kwaka Maimba” was written by Zulu folktale and illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; the Kaonde translation is by Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo.

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Credits: Kushinkanya kwaka Maimba — Written by Zulu folktale; Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager; Translated by Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo. Kaonde, Level 4. From Global Storybooks (storybookszambia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=2099). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026