There are hundreds of names for traditional mancala games, a fact which mirrors the enormous diversity of mancala and the people who play them. While some names are used for identical games, many of them are also taken as generic expressions for very different games, such as is the case with Selus, Gabata, Sadeqa, Bao, Mangala, Hoyito, and Pallanguzhi. The following is a collection of 817 names from 99 countries.
Africa
Algeria
- Arrawän
- Buberuku
- Bouberoukou
- Izgagän
- Tihulelin n-Äzgag
- Oljinnät
Angola
see also Namibia
- Biri
- C(h)ela
- Déqui
- Gango
- Kiel(l)a
- Qu(i)ela
- Kipele (also D. R. of the Congo)
- Lueli
- Muvalavala
- Mwendo
- Quendo
- Tchela
- Tsela
- Uela
Benin
- A(d)jito
- Enin(d)ji
- Fo(nd)ji
- Ma(d)ji
- Yovo(d)ji
Burkina Faso
- Kapana Bona
Burundi
see also Rwanda
- Ikibuguzo
- Urubugu
Cameroon
see also Equatorial Guinea
- Akun
- Hawale
- Kan
- Mbangbi
- Mban
- Mbek Ô Kola
- Mbere (also Nigeria)
- N'Tyenge
- Songo (also Gabon)
- Songo Duala
- Songo Ewondo
Cape Verde
- Huri
- Jogo Galinha
- Jogo Inglês
- Jogo Português
- Moura
- O(u)ri
- Banco de Ouri
- Oro
- O(u)ril
- O(u)rim
- O(u)rin
- Uri(l)
- Urim
- Urin
- Urinca
- Pia
- Pintôn
- Seca
- Uale (on Sao Nicolao)
- Uali (on Santiago)
Central African Republic
- Angula
Chad
- Gáj
- Gáj-j äw
- Kar
Comores
- Mraha Wa Tso
- Morahha
D. R. of the Congo
see also Angola
- Amungola
- Ambala
- Baimbele
- Banga
- Banya
- Baruma
- Bokêbè
- Bonzo
- Busolo
- Deka
- Dwong
- Embeli
- Ereberekera
- Imbelece
- Kamicenji
- Kanga
- Kendo
- Kipangu
- Kis(s)olo
- Kesoro
- Kis(s)oro
- Kisumbi
- Kobichana
- Leel
- Leka
- Lela
- Lien'
- Lisolo
- Lodika
- Lolemba
- Longongi
- Loseba
- Lubasi
- Luela
- Lusolo
- Lusole
- Lwele
- Mangola
- Mangala (not related to Turkish Mangala)
- Mangura
- Mbelele
- Mbele
- Mbese
- Mbili
- Mbili-mbili
- Mobese
- Mongola
- Mosongo
- Mucuba
- Mungolo
- Mutiteba
- Mvete
- Nambayi
- Ndebukya (also Uganda)
- Ndevha
- Ndoto
- Ndo
- Nembele
- Netokoro
- Ngola
- Ngulunga
- Nguma
- Nimbele
- Njonda
- Nsumbi
- Obigu
- Olela
- Otra
- Otu
- Peki
- Sola
- Sombi
- Soro
- Sovu
- Ting Makor Adek
- Tokolo
- Tokoro
- Yansi
- Zikili
Djibouti
- Asiti
- Dabuda
Equatorial Guinea
- Songa
- Akon (also Cameroon, Gabon)
- Akonga
Egypt
- L'ab al-Akil
- La'b al-Ghashim
- Mankal'ah
- Mangala (not related to Turkish Mangala)
Eritrea
see also Sudan
- Abala(la'e)
- Andada
- Bechi
- Mazageb
- Mewegae
- Mewelad
- Qelat
- Wad Arba
Ethiopia
see also South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda
- Alemungula
- Anywoli
- Awagaga
- Bulto
- Bwul
- Dap
- Fangaya
- Gabata
- Gabeta
- Gebeta
- Gobeta
- Gamacha
- Gelech
- Gelo
- Gezuwa
- Gizwa
- Goncha
- Gosha
- Hesa
- Hufesay
- Huroy
- Jimasesosh
- Kase
- Kwahilka Aitidikus
- Lahemay Waledat
- Lahemay Walida
- Lamè Uwèlèdèt
- Lami
- Lamlameta
- Lamosh
- Lam Waladach
- Latho
- Maide
- Mengas
- Mewuga'e
- Ngar
- Qaluta
- Qasuta
- Qenchebema
- Qéqa
- Sadeqa
- Sadiqa
- Selus
- Shèdan
- Sherfo
- Sira
- Sirinya
- Sulus Aidi
- Sulus Nishtaw
- Tagega
- Tapata
- Tegre
- Tsotokele
- Tuz
- Ugeta
- Wanjanya
- Woga Sadiqa
- Yada
Gabon
see also Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea
- Érhérhé
- Kale
- Owani
Gambia
see also Senegal
- Wo(r)ro
Ghana
- Abapa
- Abawo
- Adi (also Nigeria, Togo)
- Annana
- Ba-awa
- Kyekyemapuduo
- Kyεkyεmapuduo
- Nam-Nam
- Num-Num
- Oudu
- Oware
- Owari
- Tampoduo
- Tamtam Apachi
- Waril
Guinea
see also Guinea-Bissau
- Kuoless
- Gbégélé
- Ma(n)ga
Guinea-Bissau
- Iár
- Ori
- Oroa
Ivory Coast
see also Sierra Leone
- Achochodi
- Axoxodi
- Awale
- Alé
- Aware
- Awele
- Awere
- Walé
- Walle
- Waré
- Dagboprou
- Djenon Abe
- Djenon Aboure
- Goré
- Kpé
- Ohojichi
- Ohojitxi
- Wolo
- Wora
- Oura
Kenya
see also Tanzania
- Ajua
- Boola
- Bultuma
- Cepenet
- Curi
- Elee (also Uganda)
- En Dodoi
- En Guehe
- Enkeshui
- Giuthi
- Ciuthi
- Kiusu
- Kiothi
- Kiuthi
- Udi
- Uthi
- Intotoi
- Kachig
- Kacigh
- Kechui
- Keci(g)
- Keciek
- Kecuek
- Kigogo
- Ki-Nyamwezi
- Knisi
- Kombe
- Lukho
- Oluk(h)o
- Mbare-Mbare
- Mbothe
- Mongale
- Orotuba
- Toitoin
- Tsinjera
- Ubwere (also Tanzania)
Liberia
- Djamo
- Kboo
- Boo
- Kapo Kungo
- Kapo Sig
- Kpo
- Kpo Kunya
- Poo
- Pu
- Ma
Madagascar
- Fifang(h)a
- Katra
- Katra Atsipina
- Katra-Be
- Katra Boaaka
- Katra Borobaka
- Katra Fandatsaka
- Katra Fanenjika
- Katra Gorobaka
- Katra Homanivoho
- Katra Kihanta
- Katra Kroba
- Katra Mandry Dia Homana
- Katra Masombika
- Katra Mpantsaka
- Katra Olo-May
- Katra Paika
- Katra Sakalava
- Katra Tsotra
- Katro
- Katro Bara
Malawi
see also Mozambique, Tanzania, Zimbawe
- Bawo
- Chiana Wa Bwalo
- Chiana Wa Kunja
- Lela
- Njombwa (also Mozambique)
- Nchombwa
- Nchuwa
- Nsolo (also Zambia)
- Spreta (also Mozambique)
Mali
- É
- Î
- Î Pere
- Koro
- Na(h)
- Wari
- Walu
- Walya
- Woulou
- Wulu
- Wo(u)ri (also Senegal)
- Woribo
Mauretania
- Um ed-Dyar (also Morocco)
- Enmediar
- Mand'are
- Manddiaré
- Umdiyar
- Umm Dyar
- Krur (also Morocco)
- Khrour
- Krour
- Kurùr
Morocco
- Hefari
- Hefira
- Koumma
- Leb Bbut Ahbochen
- Modiar
- Um Laarais
- Tihbat
- Zacoc
Mozambique
see also Tanzania, Zimbabwe
- B
- Empalé
- Libao
- Mbau
- M’palé
- Msuwa (also Malawi)
- Msuwa Wa Kunja
- Mvombwa
- Nc(h)ayo (also Tanzania)
- Enchaio
- Ncaya
- Ocela
- Shimunana
- Sôuro
- Tchadji
- Thaji
- Tchouba (also South Africa)
- Cuba
- Nsuwa (also Malawi)
- Ndjuva
- Ntchuba
- N'tchuva
- Ntsua
- Shwa
- Tchuba
Namibia
- Hus
- Lochspiel
- Ogoro
- Onjune
- Onyune
- Otjitoto
- Owela (also Angola)
- Thuskae
- Uera
- Xoros
- Wera
Niger
- Dili
Nigeria
see also Cameroon, Ghana
- Adzua
- Ako Okwe
- Akwa Nsa
- Awali
- Ayo(ayo)
- Ayo Eleh
- Ayo Olopon
- Azigo
- Dagh
- Dar(r)a
- Derra
- Ekwe
- Ezu Ahia Ako Okwe
- Gifia
- Ichwe
- Igori
- Ise Ozin Egbe
- Iyagbe
- Iyogh
- J'erin
- Jẹ́ kí ń jẹ
- J'odu
- Jodorakase
- Jòdù
- Odú (also Benin)
- Lok
- Makwinni
- Ncholokoto
- Ndim-Ndum
- Nsa Isong
- Obridjie
- Ogori
- Olowuka
- Okwe
- Redu
- Shayo
- Sokusowó
- Whyo
- Zungu
Rwanda
- Igisoro (also Burundi, Uganda)
- Gisoro
- Ibisoro
- Ikisoro
- Kibugubugu
- Kubuguza
- Kusoro
- Kuwaguza
Senegal
see also Mali
- Ngat
- Ngon
- Nguddu
- Ouré
- Ouré Ngat
- Ouré Ngon
- Uré
- Wouré (also Gambia)
- Wouri-Fok
- Wuré
- Wuri
- Weuré
- Woli
Seychelles
- Makonn
Sierra Leone
- Kö Mönka
- Ti
- Te
- Warre
- Woaley (also Ivory Coast)
Somalia
- Bosh
- Fergen Goobalay
- Fergen Gobale
- Layla
- Layli Goobalay
- Leyla Gobale
- Rio Kadalis
- Rio Kadashi
- Togatog
- Wegi
South Africa
see also Zimbabwe
- Mefuvha
- Moruba
- Maruba
- Mofuba
- Ncuva
- Semmeh
- Tshimaya
- Ntijwa
South Sudan
- Abanga(h)
- Aweet
- Wet
- Banya
- Baré (also Ethiopia)
- Luuth (also Ethiopia)
- Mungula
- Ngar (also Ethiopia
- Otep
- Rath
- Ryakati
- Toee
- Tohi
- Tok Ku Rou
- Yit
- Ayit
- Yit Jani (also Ethiopia)
- Yit Nuri (also Ethiopia)
Sudan
- Andot (also Egypt and Eritrea)
- El Agrab
- El Arnab
- Kâra
- Li'ba(t) Iblîs
- Um el Bagara
- Um el Banat (also Eritrea)
- Um el Tuweisat
Tanzania
see also Kenya, Mozambique
- Bahendagabo (also Malawi)
- Bao (also Kenya)
- Ambao
- Bau
- Bao la Kete
- Bao la Kichaga
- Bao la Kiswahili
- Bao la Komwe
- Bao la Kucheza
- Bao la Mtaji
- Bao la Zanzibar
- Mchezo wa Bao
- Mbao
- Bao Kiarabu
- Bao Kigogo
- Bao la Kigogo
- Bao la Kimasai
- Bao Ngulu
- En Dodoi
- En Gehé
- Isuumbi
- Isiimbi
- Mpesse (also Kenya, Uganda)
- Oce
- Ochi
- Takti
- Uruhe(i)s(h)o
- Ruhesho
- Usolo (also Mozambique)
- Busolo
Togo
see also Ghana
- Adji
- Aji
- A Kidada
Uganda
see also D. R. of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania
- Akileyisit
- Amoru (also Ethiopia)
- C(h)oro
- Ingilith
- Komari
- Ngikileth
- Ngikile(e)s
- Okusora
- Omweso
- Mwe(i)so
- Wezo
- Pereauni
Zambia
see also Malawi
- Chisolo
- Cisolo
- Isolo (not related to Tanzanian Isolo)
- Kabwenga
- Kanona
- Mulabalaba
- Milavalava
- Mwambulula
- Nakabili
- Nakabile
- Nambidi
- Namudilakunze
- Natatu
- Nchuba
- Sute (also Zimbabwe)
Zimbabwe
see also Zambia
- Fuva
- Imbwe
- Isafuba
- Isolo
- Tsoro (also Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa)
America
Antigua and Barbuda
- Warri (also Barbados, Haiti, Trinidad)
Bahamas
- Worri
Barbados
- Barbados Warri
- English Wari
- French Wari
- Round-and-Round Warri
- Rounds
- Round De Town
Brazil
- A-i-ú
Cayman Islands
- Waurie
- Island Wari
- Warie
- Wauri
Cuba
- Adji Kui
Dominican Republic
- Caille
- Casitas
- Casitas de Mate
- Mate
- Hoyito
French Guiana
see Suriname
Haiti
- Kay
- Caille
- Voleur
Jamaica
- Woll
Santa Lucia
- Wa-wee
Surinam
- Adji-Boto
- Awali (also French Guiana)
- Awari
- Langa-Holo Adji-Pre
- Langa Holo
- Lontu-Holo Adji-Pre
- Lontu Holo
Trinidad
see Antigua and Barbuda
United States
- Warra
United States Virgin Islands
- Wahree
Asia
Azerbaidshan
- Mereköçdü
Brunei
see Indonesia
Cambodia
- Bay Khom
China
- Aemeibushishi
- Ceelkoqyuqkoqjji
- Ceelmeiyuqmeiji
- Dongjintian
- Dong Wo
- Fēnliùbāoqí
- Laomuzhukeng
- Laomuzhu
- Laomuzhuqi
- Lildvqkojji
- Lǎoniúqí
- Mak-hu-hai
- Sànyáo
- Yucebao
- Zigulzoqge
India
- Ali Guli Mane
- Aḷu Gulimane Āṭa
- Hal(lu)gunimane
- Arasu Āṭa
- Arasaata
- Arisi Pandi
- Asoka-vāṭam
- Bule Perga
- C(h)enne
- Channamane
- C(h)enne Mane
- Devare Āṭa
- Ethirpandi
- Hegge Timbata
- Hunse Pace Āṭa
- Jōḍu Perga
- Kāsi
- Kánji-guti
- Karu Baruva Ata
- Kāsi
- Kashiyāṭa
- Kasipandi
- Katte Ata
- Kattupandi
- Kawa Aṭa
- K(h)utki-boia
- Khuzhi Palaka
- Kawaḍi Āṭa
- Kodi Mule
- Kuzhipara
- Longbeu-a-cha
- Mawkar Katiya
- Mule Ata
- Nikkikkaḷi
- Paandikkali
- Pachgarhwa
- Palla(a)nguzhi (also Sri Lanka)
- Pallankuzhi
- Pallam Kuzhi
- Pallanguli
- Pallankuli
- Pallānkuri
- Pallanguzhi Attam
- Pannānkuri
- Pāntinkuri
- Pasu Pondi
- Pasu Pandi
- Pasuppandi
- Pondi Attam
- Paandikkali
- Pandi
- Puṭṭu Gobbanu
- Raja Pasu (also Sri Lanka)
- Rajapandi
- Rajāṭa
- Sadāṭa
- Saripandi
- Sat-gol
- Seenya Mukya
- Seethaipandi
- Sita-Lakshmi Āṭa
- Sita Āṭa
- Sitāṭa
- Tara Timbata
- Thaichipandi
- Til-Guti
- Va(a)mana Guntalu
- Vai Lung Thlan
- Vai Lung Thlān
- Vanagallapeetha
Indonesia
see also Sri Lanka
- Aggalacang (wan Nogarata)
- Maggaleceng
- Aw-li On-nam Ot-tjin
- Ot-tjin
- Bajangkaq
- Chato
- Chuka
- C(h)ongk(l)ak (also Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia)
- Jogklak
- Main C(h)on(g)kak
- D(h)akon
- Dhakonan
- Daku
- Permainan Dakon
- Dampu
- Dara-Dara
- Dentuman Lamban
- Djoenka
- Jungka
- Tjonka
- Galatjang
- Ka La
- Kaloleh
- Kéu Léu
- Éu Léu
- Matoe
- Mechiwa
- Metjiwa
- Meuchoh
- Meutjoh
- Meuliëh
- Meusuëb
- Meusoeëb
- Meuta'
- Mokaotan
- Motiq
- Nogarata
- Sai
- Tjato
- Tchouka
- Tchuka Ruma
- Tjoeka
Iran
- Manqala(t)
Iraq
- Baqura
- Halusa
- Hālūsa
- Hālūsi
Israel
see Jordan
Jordan
- Al-manqala (also Israel and Palestine)
Kazakhstan
- Bestemshi
- Kozdatu
- Toguz Kumalak
- Toğız Qumalaq
- Toghyz Qumalaq
Kuwait
see Qatar
Kyrgyzstan
- Toguz K(h)orgool
Malaysia
see also Indonesia
- Tikum
Maldives
- Naranj
- Ohvalhu
- Ohvalhu gondi
Mongolia
- Eson Khorgol
- Eson Xorgol
- Unee Tugaluulach
- Unee Tugaluulax
Nepal
- Rama Rildok
Oman
- Hawalis
Pakistan
- Tatak
Palestine
see Jordan
Philippines
- Agsinnoninka
- Chuncajon
- Cokajon
- Sungka
- Sungca
- Sunka
Qatar
- Al-Hawailah (also Kuwait, Syria, Yemen)
Saudi-Arabia
- Al-Hawaileh
- Beatta
Singapore
see Indonesia
Sri Lanka
see also India
- Chonka (also Indonesia)
- Cangka
- Chanka
- Chonku
- Daramutu
- Ellaewala-Kanda
- Kotu-Baendum
- Olinda Keliya
- Olinda
- Puhu(l)mutu
- Raja Pasu Mandiri
- Walak-Pussa
Syria
see also Qatar
- La'b Akila
- La'b Hakimi
- La'b Madjnuni
- La'b Rosëya
Thailand
- Main Chakot
- Mak Khom
- Tungkayon
Turkey
- Altı Ev
- Bolu Yığması
- Çukur Beştaş
- Evcik
- Göç
- Göçmecik
- Kıbık
- Kuy Taş
- Kuyu
- Mangala (also Greece, Ukraine)
- Mangola
- Melegayası
- Meneli Taş
- Piç
- Yalakkaya
- Yerdim Yer
Turkmenistan
- Tap-Urdy
Vietnam
- Ô Ăn Quan
- Ô Lang
Yemen
see Qatar
Australia & Oceania
Marianas
- Chongka'
- Tchonka
Europe
Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Ban-Ban
Estonia
see Germany
Germany
- Bohnenspiel (also Estonia)
Greece
see also Turkey
- Mandoli
Romania
- Çevále
Ukraine
see Turkey
See also
Copyright
© Ralf Gering
Under the CC by-sa 2.5 license.