Muntu Walepa Bingi

Name: Muntu Walepa Bingi
Availability: InStock
Author: Cornelius Gulere

A free picture book in Kaonde by Cornelius Gulere

Cover of Muntu Walepa Bingi, a Kaonde picture book

Muntu Walepa Bingi is a picture book in Kaonde for ages 5–8 by Cornelius Gulere that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

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Language: Kaonde
Written by: Cornelius Gulere
Illustrated by: Catherine Groenewald
Translated by: Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo
Reading level: ages 5–8 · kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 2 · First sentences
From: Zambia
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Muntu Walepa Bingi is a short illustrated picture book in Kaonde by Cornelius Gulere, illustrated by Catherine Groenewald and translated by Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo. It is written for ages 5–8 (Grades 1–2) and is graded as Level 2 · First sentences, 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 35 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Lukasu wajinga waipipasha. Kinzhilo kyanji kyajinga kyaipipasha. Mwanya wanji wajinga waipipasha. Nkinga yanji yajinga yaipipisha. Awe muntu walepele bingi! Walengele mupinyi walukasu walepa bingi. Walengele mafulemu akinzhilo alepa bingi. Kabiji walengele mwanya walepa bingi. Wapotele nkinga yalepa bingi. Waikele pakipona…

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. “Muntu Walepa Bingi” 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 “Muntu Walepa Bingi” free to read?

Yes. “Muntu Walepa Bingi” 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 “Muntu Walepa Bingi” in?

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

What age is “Muntu Walepa Bingi” for?

It is best for ages 5–8 (Level 2 · First sentences). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.

Is “Muntu Walepa Bingi” available in other languages?

Yes — the same story is in English, Nigerian Pidgin, Hausa, Kiswahili, Turkana, Somali and more.

Who wrote “Muntu Walepa Bingi”?

“Muntu Walepa Bingi” was written by Cornelius Gulere and illustrated by Catherine Groenewald; the Kaonde translation is by Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo.

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Credits: Muntu Walepa Bingi — Written by Cornelius Gulere; Illustrated by Catherine Groenewald; Translated by Ruth Kapamba, Mwitila Ntabo. Kaonde, Level 2. From Global Storybooks (storybookszambia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=918). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026