PagineNyathi Ma Nyakare
A free picture book in Dhopadhola by Lindiwe Matshikiza
Nyathi Ma Nyakare is a picture book in Dhopadhola for ages 5–11 by Lindiwe Matshikiza that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.
📖 Read it free →- Language
- Dhopadhola
- Written by
- Lindiwe Matshikiza
- Illustrated by
- Meghan Judge
- Translated by
- Owino Ogot
- Reading level
- ages 5–11 · kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade · Level 3 · First paragraphs
- From
- Uganda
- Source
- Global Storybooks
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0
- Price
- Free — read online, nothing to download
About this book
Nyathi Ma Nyakare is a short illustrated picture book in Dhopadhola by Lindiwe Matshikiza, illustrated by Meghan Judge and translated by Owino Ogot. 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 Dhopadhola. 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 22 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).
How it begins
Aneno dhano to akaŋasa go tek tek. To aneno dhako ma yac ma omako iye. Jo calo mawan jo jolo dhako no to doŋ both wan. I dyer wor dhako no okoko ni, “Nyathi! Eno nyathi wok.” Dhako no to…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. “Nyathi Ma Nyakare” is also available in:
- Afrikaans · Donkie-kind
- Bemba · Umwana Punda
- English · Donkey child
- Jamaican Creole · Dangki Pikni
- Kaonde · Mbongolo Mwana
- Khoekhoegowab · Donki ǀgôab xa
- Kiswahili · Mtoto Punda
- Lukhonzo · Akana K’epunda
- Lunda · Mwana wa Donki
- Luvale · Mwana Chimbulu
- Mauritian Creole · Zanfan-Bourik
- Nyanja · Mwana wa Bulu
- Oshikwanyama · Okaana okandongwina
- Oshindonga · Okanona okandôongi
- Otjiherero · Okasinona
- Somali · Ilmo dameer ah
- Spanish · El Niño Burro
- Tonga · Kana Kambongolo
- Tswana · Ngwana wa setshwano sa tonki
- Turkana · Ikoku sikiria
- Xhosa · Umbhongolo, Usana Olusisimanga
- Zulu · Umntwana ongajwayelekile
Reading together in Dhopadhola
- 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 Dhopadhola
See all 7 free Dhopadhola books by reading level → · Books in 200+ languages · 👩🏫 Assign this book to a class
Frequently asked questions
Is “Nyathi Ma Nyakare” free to read?
Yes. “Nyathi Ma Nyakare” 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 “Nyathi Ma Nyakare” in?
It is written in Dhopadhola. Pagine has 7 free children’s books in Dhopadhola.
What age is “Nyathi Ma Nyakare” for?
It is best for ages 5–11 (Level 3 · First paragraphs). Younger children can enjoy it read aloud.
Is “Nyathi Ma Nyakare” available in other languages?
Yes — the same story is in English, Turkana, Somali, Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and more.
Who wrote “Nyathi Ma Nyakare”?
“Nyathi Ma Nyakare” was written by Lindiwe Matshikiza and illustrated by Meghan Judge; the Dhopadhola translation is by Owino Ogot.
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Get the free app →Credits: Nyathi Ma Nyakare — Written by Lindiwe Matshikiza; Illustrated by Meghan Judge; Translated by Owino Ogot. Dhopadhola, Level 3. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-uganda), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=15028). CC BY 4.0. · Page updated October 2026