Back to stories list
Zama omusemba!
Zama is great!
Michael Oguttu
Vusi Malindi
Angelika Tjoutuku, Asnath Mundjindjiri
The audio for this story is currently not available.
Okaṱena kandje ke tjirwa momara. Ami mbi penduka rukuru, mena rokutja owami omusemba!
My little brother sleeps very late. I wake early, because I am great!
Owami ngu mbi hitisa ozohanya zeyuva.
I am the one who lets in the sun.
“Oove onyose yandje yomuhuka,” Mama wa tja.
“You’re my morning star,” says Ma.
Ami mbi rikoha omuini, hi hepa okuvaterwa.
I wash myself, I don’t need any help.
Ami mbi rikoha nomeva omatarazu noheva omburau ndji ṋuka nawa.
I can cope with cold water and blue smelly soap.
Mama wa zemburukisa, “O zembi okuriputja omayo.” Ami mba ziri, “Kawami kako!”
Ma reminds, “Don’t forget teeth.” I reply, “Never, not me!”
Tji mba zu nokurikoha, mba minike Tjikuume na Hongaze ne ve zerire po eyuva ewa.
After washing, I greet Grandpa and Auntie, and wish them a good day.
Kuzambo mbe rihwikike, “Mama, mbekura nambano,” ami mba tja.
Then I dress myself, “I’m big now Ma,” I say.
Ami mbi ripata ozombandi nokukuta ozondjatate.
I can close my buttons and buckle my shoes.
Mbi tjita ouatjiri kutja okaṱena kandje make tjiwa ozombuze azehe posikore.
And I make sure little brother knows all the school news.
Metuwo romahongero mbi kondja okuungura nawa.
In class I do my best in every way.
Eyuva arihe mbi tjita oviṋa oviwa avihe mbi. Nu tjinene mba suvera okunyanda nokunyanda!
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: Angelika Tjoutuku, Asnath Mundjindjiri
