Zama wang’ovu

Name: Zama wang’ovu
Availability: InStock
Author: Michael Oguttu

A free picture book in Lunda by Michael Oguttu

Cover of Zama wang’ovu, a Lunda picture book

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

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Language: Lunda
Written by: Michael Oguttu
Illustrated by: Vusi Malindi
Translated by: Oscar Zangata
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 wang’ovu is a short illustrated picture book in Lunda by Michael Oguttu, illustrated by Vusi Malindi and translated by Oscar Zangata. 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 Lunda. 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

Manakwami wamunyanya hakamangà swayiku. Nahindukan’ga swayi mulong’a nidi wang’ovu. Yami nenzunwinan’ga mwaaana. “yeyi kanonwesha kami kantetemena,” chahoshan’gayi mama. Nadiweleshan’ga ami aweni, hinaken’gan’ga lwakwashiku. Nateli kuwela menzhi atuta na sopu yawuluya yikweti kevumba kakawahi Mama wan’ganukishan’ga nindi, “Kuvulamena nehi mazhi.” Nakulan’ga…

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 wang’ovu” is also available in:

Reading together in Lunda

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 Lunda

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

Frequently asked questions

Is “Zama wang’ovu” free to read?

Yes. “Zama wang’ovu” 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 wang’ovu” in?

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

What age is “Zama wang’ovu” for?

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

Is “Zama wang’ovu” available in other languages?

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

Who wrote “Zama wang’ovu”?

“Zama wang’ovu” was written by Michael Oguttu and illustrated by Vusi Malindi; the Lunda translation is by Oscar Zangata.

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Credits: Zama wang’ovu — Written by Michael Oguttu; Illustrated by Vusi Malindi; Translated by Oscar Zangata. Lunda, 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