Makonde aba Nkambo

Name: Makonde aba Nkambo
Availability: InStock
Author: Ursula Nafula

A free picture book in Kaonde by Ursula Nafula

Cover of Makonde aba Nkambo, a Kaonde picture book

Makonde aba Nkambo is a picture book in Kaonde for ages 8–11 by Ursula Nafula that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Kaonde
Written by: Ursula Nafula
Illustrated by: Catherine Groenewald
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

Makonde aba Nkambo is a short illustrated picture book in Kaonde by Ursula Nafula, illustrated by Catherine Groenewald 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

Mashamba aba nkambo awamine bingi, mambo mwajinga mebele, luku ne makamba. Bino byawamishe pa byonse kemakonde. Nanchi nangwa ba nkambo bajinga na bankana baavula, nayukile namba yami batemwishishe kukila bonse. Bangitanga kunzubo yabo pa bimye byavula. Kabiji bambulangako ne bintu…

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. “Makonde aba Nkambo” 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 “Makonde aba Nkambo” free to read?

Yes. “Makonde aba Nkambo” 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 “Makonde aba Nkambo” in?

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

What age is “Makonde aba Nkambo” for?

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

Is “Makonde aba Nkambo” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in EkeGusii, Kikamba, Kimaasai, Somali, Afrikaans, Tswana and more.

Who wrote “Makonde aba Nkambo”?

“Makonde aba Nkambo” was written by Ursula Nafula and illustrated by Catherine Groenewald; the Kaonde translation is by Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo.

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Credits: Makonde aba Nkambo — Written by Ursula Nafula; Illustrated by Catherine Groenewald; 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=2094). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026