Zama Niw’amani

Name: Zama Niw’amani
Availability: InStock
Author: Michael Oguttu

A free picture book in Lukhonzo by Michael Oguttu

Cover of Zama Niw’amani, a Lukhonzo picture book

Zama Niw’amani is a picture book in Lukhonzo for ages 5–8 by Michael Oguttu that you can read free online in Pagine — no download, no cost.

📖 Read it free →

Language: Lukhonzo
Written by: Michael Oguttu
Illustrated by: Vusi Malindi
Translated by: Amos Mubunga Kambere
Reading level: ages 5–8 · kindergarten to 2nd grade · Level 2 · First sentences
From: Uganda
Source: Global Storybooks
Licence: CC BY 3.0
Price: Free — read online, nothing to download

About this book

Zama Niw’amani is a short illustrated picture book in Lukhonzo by Michael Oguttu, illustrated by Vusi Malindi and translated by Amos Mubunga Kambere. 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 Lukhonzo. 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

Mughalha wethu omulere salibotsera lhuba. Ngabuka lhuba kusangwa ngawithe amani. Ningye ngaleka omwisi inyingira. “Uli ngununu yaghe yomwangyakya”, mama akabugha. Ngayinabaya, sindiyisunza buwathikya. Ngaumira amaghetse mabisi haima n’esabbuni ey’ebbururu. Mama akanyibukaya, “Kauleke eribirirwa ameno”, Ngasubamo “eyihi sinangabirirwa nahake”. Ngabya nabirinaba,…

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 Niw’amani” is also available in:

Reading together in Lukhonzo

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 Lukhonzo

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “Zama Niw’amani” free to read?

Yes. “Zama Niw’amani” 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 Niw’amani” in?

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

What age is “Zama Niw’amani” for?

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

Is “Zama Niw’amani” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Zama Niw’amani”?

“Zama Niw’amani” was written by Michael Oguttu and illustrated by Vusi Malindi; the Lukhonzo translation is by Amos Mubunga Kambere.

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Credits: Zama Niw’amani — Written by Michael Oguttu; Illustrated by Vusi Malindi; Translated by Amos Mubunga Kambere. Lukhonzo, Level 2. From Global Storybooks (global-asp.github.io/storybooks-uganda), originally from the African Storybook (https://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=9984). CC BY 3.0. · Page updated October 2026