Makumbi akunokha nakhaka waphwevo

A free picture book in Luvale by Violet Otieno

Makumbi akunokha nakhaka waphwevo is a picture book in Luvale for ages 8–11 by Violet Otieno that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language

Luvale

Written by

Violet Otieno

Illustrated by

Catherine Groenewald

Translated by

Kaloza Masho

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

Makumbi akunokha nakhaka waphwevo is a short illustrated picture book in Luvale by Violet Otieno, illustrated by Catherine Groenewald and translated by Kaloza Masho. 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 Luvale. 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 vatwaminenga mumbaka nasevo. Vapwilenga nakutalilila kumakumbi akunokha. Kechi nge mwomwo vanasoko shikolako, oloze mwomwo vayile nakumona khaka yavo waphwevo. Khaka yavo ou atwaminenga hamusumba kwakamwihi nakalwiji wamunene. Odongo na Apiyo vawahililile chikuma mwomwo lwapwile lwola lwakutambukila kakha…

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. “Makumbi akunokha nakhaka waphwevo” is also available in:

• Asante Twi · Kɔsra Wɔn Nanabaa
• Bemba · Cuuti kuli bamaama
• 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
• 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 Luvale

• 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 Luvale

• Jikhambu
• Mujimba wami
• Khalai eji kuhanjika navimbuto
• Mbuto yayindende: Mujimbu wa Wangari Maathai
• Linga mwalinga mukwenu yakatotaphako
• Kakahya
• Songoyami walunga wauvwa
• Tingi navangombe

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “Makumbi akunokha nakhaka waphwevo” free to read?

Yes. “Makumbi akunokha nakhaka waphwevo” 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 “Makumbi akunokha nakhaka waphwevo” in?

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

What age is “Makumbi akunokha nakhaka waphwevo” for?

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

Is “Makumbi akunokha nakhaka waphwevo” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Makumbi akunokha nakhaka waphwevo”?

“Makumbi akunokha nakhaka waphwevo” was written by Violet Otieno and illustrated by Catherine Groenewald; the Luvale translation is by Kaloza Masho.

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Credits: Makumbi akunokha nakhaka waphwevo — Written by Violet Otieno; Illustrated by Catherine Groenewald; Translated by Kaloza Masho. Luvale, 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