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Zama wang’ovu
Zama is great!
Zama Alicenjela!
Michael Oguttu
Vusi Malindi
Oscar Zangata
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Manakwami wamunyanya hakamangà swayiku. Nahindukan’ga swayi mulong’a nidi wang’ovu.
My little brother sleeps very late. I wake early, because I am great!
Kandume yandi takabuuka bwangu. Ine ndabuuka bwangu pantu nalicenjela!
Yami nenzunwinan’ga mwaaana.
I am the one who lets in the sun.
Nine njingisha akasuba mu ŋanda.
“yeyi kanonwesha kami kantetemena,” chahoshan’gayi mama.
“You’re my morning star,” says Ma.
Bamaayo batiila, “Uli lutanda lwandi ulwakumacaca.”
Nadiweleshan’ga ami aweni, hinaken’gan’ga lwakwashiku.
I wash myself, I don’t need any help.
Ndaisamba, nshifwaya wakungafwilisha.
Nateli kuwela menzhi atuta na sopu yawuluya yikweti kevumba kakawahi
I can cope with cold water and blue smelly soap.
Nshitiina ameenshi ayatalala nangu sopo yanunka iyamakumbi-makumbi.
Mama wan’ganukishan’ga nindi, “Kuvulamena nehi mazhi.” Nakulan’ga nami, “Inehi iyamiku!”
Ma reminds, “Don’t forget teeth.” I reply, “Never, not me!”
Bamaayo balanjibukishako abati, “Wilaba ameeno.” Na ine nayasuka nati, “Teeti ndabe ameeno.”
Neyi naweli dehi, nemushan’ga nkaka na tata wamubanda na kuyilezha ekali nefuku dadiwahi.
After washing, I greet Grandpa and Auntie, and wish them a good day.
Panuma yakusamba, ndaposha bamaama na bamaayo-senge, no kubashalikapo bwino.
Kaha nadivwikan’ga ami aweni, “Nakuli unu.” Nadilezhan’ga.
Then I dress myself, “I’m big now Ma,” I say.
Elyo panuma naifwika naati, “Ndi mukalamba nomba maayo.”
Nadivwikan’ga nakukasa nyiha yansapatu yami.
I can close my buttons and buckle my shoes.
Ndamanga amabatani no kukaka intambo shapa nsapato.
Nawa naken’gan’ga manakwami wakansi eluka zhezhima hadi shikola.
And I make sure little brother knows all the school news.
Nshilaba ukweba kandume yandi ificitika ku sukulu.
Mu kilasi nadishilan’gaku.
In class I do my best in every way.
Mu kalashi ndabombesha munshila shonse.
Nelan’ga yuma iyi ifuku neyi ifuku. Elan’ga chuma chinaken’ga nankashi kuhema nakuhema.
I do all these good things every day. But the thing I like most, is to play and play!
Ncita fyonse ifi fisuma cila bushiku. Nomba icikulu ico natemwisha, kwangala.
Written by: Michael Oguttu
Illustrated by: Vusi Malindi
Translated by: Oscar Zangata
