Zama Alicenjela!

Name: Zama Alicenjela!
Availability: InStock
Author: Michael Oguttu

A free picture book in Bemba by Michael Oguttu

Cover of Zama Alicenjela!, a Bemba picture book

Zama Alicenjela! is a picture book in Bemba for ages 5–8 by Michael Oguttu that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

📖 Read it free →

Language: Bemba
Written by: Michael Oguttu
Illustrated by: Vusi Malindi
Translated by: Joseph Mwansa
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

Zama Alicenjela! is a short illustrated picture book in Bemba by Michael Oguttu, illustrated by Vusi Malindi and translated by Joseph Mwansa. 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 Bemba. 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 21 other languages — handy for bilingual families and classrooms (see below).

How it begins

Kandume yandi takabuuka bwangu. Ine ndabuuka bwangu pantu nalicenjela! Nine njingisha akasuba mu ŋanda. Bamaayo batiila, “Uli lutanda lwandi ulwakumacaca.” Ndaisamba, nshifwaya wakungafwilisha. Nshitiina ameenshi ayatalala nangu sopo yanunka iyamakumbi-makumbi. Bamaayo balanjibukishako abati, “Wilaba ameeno.” Na ine nayasuka nati, “Teeti…

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. “Zama Alicenjela!” is also available in:

Reading together in Bemba

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 Bemba

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “Zama Alicenjela!” free to read?

Yes. “Zama Alicenjela!” 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 “Zama Alicenjela!” in?

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

What age is “Zama Alicenjela!” for?

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

Is “Zama Alicenjela!” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Zama Alicenjela!”?

“Zama Alicenjela!” was written by Michael Oguttu and illustrated by Vusi Malindi; the Bemba translation is by Joseph Mwansa.

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Credits: Zama Alicenjela! — Written by Michael Oguttu; Illustrated by Vusi Malindi; Translated by Joseph Mwansa. Bemba, Level 2. From Global Storybooks (storybookszambia.net), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=9984). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026