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Zama Alicenjela! Zama ni mkubwa! Zama is great!

Written by Michael Oguttu

Illustrated by Vusi Malindi

Translated by Joseph Mwansa

Language IciBemba

Level Level 2

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Kandume yandi takabuuka bwangu. Ine ndabuuka bwangu pantu nalicenjela!

Mdogo wangu anachelewa kuamka. Mimi naamka mapema kwa sababu mimi ni mkubwa!

My little brother sleeps very late. I wake early, because I am great!


Nine njingisha akasuba mu ŋanda.

Mimi ndiye ninayeruhusu jua kuingia ndani.

I am the one who lets in the sun.


Bamaayo batiila, “Uli lutanda lwandi ulwakumacaca.”

“Wewe ni nyota wangu wa asubuhi,” anasema mama.

“You’re my morning star,” says Ma.


Ndaisamba, nshifwaya wakungafwilisha.

Naoga mwenyewe, sihitaji msaada.

I wash myself, I don’t need any help.


Nshitiina ameenshi ayatalala nangu sopo yanunka iyamakumbi-makumbi.

Naweza kustahimili maji ya baridi na sabuni ya bluu inayonukia.

I can cope with cold water and blue smelly soap.


Bamaayo balanjibukishako abati, “Wilaba ameeno.” Na ine nayasuka nati, “Teeti ndabe ameeno.”

Mama ananikumbusha, “Usisahau kupiga mswaki.” Namjibu, “Kamwe, sio mimi!”

Ma reminds, “Don’t forget teeth.” I reply, “Never, not me!”


Panuma yakusamba, ndaposha bamaama na bamaayo-senge, no kubashalikapo bwino.

Baada ya kuoga, nawasalimu babu na shangazi, na kuwatakia siku njema.

After washing, I greet Grandpa and Auntie, and wish them a good day.


Elyo panuma naifwika naati, “Ndi mukalamba nomba maayo.”

Najivisha nguo mwenyewe. “Mimi ni mkubwa sasa mama,” ninamwambia.

Then I dress myself, “I’m big now Ma,” I say.


Ndamanga amabatani no kukaka intambo shapa nsapato.

Ninaweza kufunga vishikizo na kurekebisha viatu vyangu.

I can close my buttons and buckle my shoes.


Nshilaba ukweba kandume yandi ificitika ku sukulu.

Na ninahakikisha mdogo wangu anapata taarifa zote za shule.

And I make sure little brother knows all the school news.


Mu kalashi ndabombesha munshila shonse.

Darasani najitahidi sana katika kila kitu.

In class I do my best in every way.


Ncita fyonse ifi fisuma cila bushiku. Nomba icikulu ico natemwisha, kwangala.

Ninafanya hivi vitu vyote vizuri kila siku. Ila kitu ninachokipenda sana ni kucheza na kucheza.

I do all these good things every day. But the thing I like most, is to play and play!


Written by: Michael Oguttu
Illustrated by: Vusi Malindi
Translated by: Joseph Mwansa
Language: IciBemba
Level: Level 2
Source: Zama is great! from African Storybook
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 International License.
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