Game
|
Alternative Names
|
Region
|
Board
|
Counters
|
Laps
|
Goal
|
Additional Information
|
Abalala'e |
Abala, Abalalà |
Eritrea |
3x6 |
3 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
---
|
Achochodi |
Axoxodi |
Ivory Coast |
2x6 |
4 |
single |
capturing most counters |
---
|
Adi |
Annana |
Ghana |
2x6 |
4 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
variant of Ba-awa
|
Ajua |
--- |
Kenya |
2x8 |
3 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
variant of Boola
|
Alemungula |
--- |
Ethiopia (West) |
2x5 |
5 |
single |
capturing most counters |
played by Wetawit youngsters; closely related to Um el Bagara
|
Andada |
--- |
Eritrea (West) |
2x12, 15, 18, 21, 24 |
2 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
played by Kunama elders
|
Andot |
--- |
Sudan (Kassala) |
2x6 |
4 |
single |
capturing most counters |
played by the Beja
|
Anywoli |
--- |
Ethiopia (Gambela), Sudan |
2x12 |
4 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
played by the Anuak; related to Ba-awa and Obridjie
|
Aringari |
--- |
Sudan |
(?) |
(?) |
(?) |
capturing most counters |
played by the For; 5 players
|
Aweet |
--- |
Sudan |
4x10 |
4 in the outer rows; 0 in the inner rows |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
variant of Coro; played by the Dinka
|
Azigo |
--- |
Nigeria (Aro Chuku, Calabar) |
2x20 |
5 in each of the 7 leftmost holes; 1 in the 8th hole; the rest is empty |
single |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Igbo; men's game; boards symbolize the spiritual cosmos
|
Ayoayo |
Aji, Ajito, Ayo, Madji, Tamtam Apachi, Yovodji |
Benin, Ghana, Nigeria |
2x4, 5, 6 |
4 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
played by the Mina and the Yoruba
|
Ba-awa |
--- |
Ghana |
2x6 |
4 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
played by the Twi; related to Obridjie
|
Bakuk |
--- |
Morocco |
2x3 |
6 |
single |
capturing most counters |
played by Amazigh; related to Koumma
|
Bao Kiarabu (Variant I) |
Bao |
Kenya (Mombasa), Tanzania (Zanzibar) |
4x8 |
3 |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
related to Hawalis (?)
|
Bao la Kigogo |
Bao |
Tanzania |
4x12 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Gogo; related to Bao Kiarabu (Variant I)
|
Bao la Kimasai |
--- |
Tanzania (Kilimanjaro) |
4x8 |
1 in each inner hole; 24 in each hand |
multiple |
capturing all counters from the opponent's inner row |
played by the Masai; men's game (?)
|
Bao la Kiswahili |
Bao La Kete, Bao La Komwe, Bao La Kucheza, Bao La Zanzibar, Bau, Bawo, Busolo, Katra, Lusole |
Burundi (Bujumbura), Comores (Anjouan), D. R. of the Congo (Kisangani), Kenya (Coast), Madagascar (Northwest), Malawi, Tanzania (Coast, Zanzibar) |
4x8 |
irregular (20 on board, 44 in hand) |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent; capturing all counters from the opponent's inner row |
played by the Swahili, Bajun, Bangubangu, Sakalava and Yao; men's game; most difficult rules of all mancala games; Bao proverbs and poems; tournaments
|
Baré |
Bare |
Sudan |
4x12 |
4 |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Anuak
|
Baruma |
--- |
D. R. of the Congo |
4x8 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Lugbara
|
Bechi |
--- |
Eritrea |
2x4 |
6 |
single |
capturing most counters |
played by the Kunama
|
Boola |
--- |
Kenya |
2x12 |
0 & 3 |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Ariaal, Rendille and Samburu
|
Bosh |
--- |
Somalia |
2x5 |
4 |
Pussa Kanawa |
capturing most counters |
probably related to Indian mancala games
|
Bulto |
--- |
Ethiopia (South), Kenya (North) |
2x10 |
2 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
played by the Oromo; men's game
|
Cela |
--- |
Angola |
4x7 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Nkangela and Ngalangi
|
Cepenet |
--- |
Kenya |
4x4, 8, 12, 16, 24 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Marakwet
|
Chiana |
--- |
Malawi |
4x any size |
4 |
multiple |
capturing holes |
played by the Mayanja; children's game
|
Chisolo I |
Cisolo |
Zambia |
4x5 |
3 |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Tonga; related to Mulabalaba
|
Chisolo II |
Cisolo |
Zambia |
4x5 |
3 |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Tonga
|
Coro I |
Choro |
Uganda |
4x8 |
4 in the outer rows; 0 in the inner rows |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
variant of Omweso played by the Lango
|
Coro II |
--- |
Uganda |
4x8 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
variant of Omweso played by the Acoli
|
Cuba |
--- |
Mozambique, South Africa |
4x4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 or 22 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Ronga and Tonga; related to Moruba
|
Dabuda |
--- |
Djibouti, Ethiopia |
2x6, 10 |
4 |
multiple |
capturing more seeds |
played by the Afar
|
Dagh |
--- |
Nigeria |
(?) |
(?) |
single (?) |
capturing most counters |
played by the Tiv and Munshi
|
Deka |
--- |
D. R. of the Congo |
3x5 or 6 (outer rows) or 2 (central row) |
2 |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Uombe and the Nyanga; related to Embeli
|
Dwong |
Soro |
D. R. of the Congo |
4x8 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Alur
|
Éhérhé |
--- |
Ghana |
2x6 |
4 |
single |
capturing most seeds |
related to Oware
|
El Arnab |
--- |
Sudan |
2x3 |
irregular (a total of 14) |
multiple |
repetition of the board position |
mancala puzzle (solitaire) played by the Kababish
|
Elee |
--- |
Kenya, Uganda |
4x8 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
variant of Omweso played by the Teso
|
Embeli |
Ambala |
D. R. of the Congo (Buta, Bafwasende) |
3x10 (outer rows) or 2 (central row) |
4 (outer rows); the 2 holes in the central row have 0 |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Boa and Bali
|
En Gehé |
--- |
Tanzania (North) |
2x40-50 |
4 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
played by the Loitha and Kisonga Masai
|
Enkeshui |
--- |
Kenya |
2x8, 10, 12 |
irregular |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
played by the Masai, but only by men
|
En Dodoi |
Endodoi |
Kenya, Tanzania |
2x6, 8, 10 |
4 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
played by Masai men
|
Fifanga |
--- |
Madagascar |
4x8 |
irregular (12 on board, 52 in hand) |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent; capturing all counters from the opponent's inner row |
simplified Bao la Kiswahili variant
|
Gamacha |
Yada |
Ethiopia (South) |
2x12 |
irregular |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
played by the Hadiya and the Walamo
|
Giuthi |
--- |
Kenya |
2x5-10 |
4-9 |
single |
capturing most counters |
played by the Kikuyu and Embu Masai; pastime of young boys
|
Goré |
--- |
Ivory Coast |
2x4 |
6 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
played by the Guro
|
Huroy |
--- |
Ethiopia (Omo valley) |
2x6 |
4 |
single |
capturing most counters |
played by the Mursi; recreation of adult males
|
Hus |
//hūs, Lochspiel, Ogoro, Onjune, Onyune, Otjitoto, Owela, Thuskae, Uera, Xoros, Wera |
Namibia |
4x8-24 |
2 in the outer rows and the right half of the inner row; the rest is empty |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by Damara (Berg-Dama), Namaqua, Herero, Kanyama, Ndonga, Kwangari, Mbukushu, Shambyo and Hei//om by both sexes; associated with rain-making; tournaments
|
Ichwe |
--- |
Nigeria |
(?) |
(?) |
single (?) |
capturing most counters |
played by the Okpu clan
|
Igisoro |
Gisoro, Ibisoro, Ikisoro, Ikibuguzo, Kubuguza, Kusuro, Kuwaguza |
Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda |
4x8 |
4 in the inner rows; 0 in the outer rows |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Tutsi; tournaments
|
Igori |
Ogori (?) |
Nigeria |
(?) |
(?) |
single (?) |
capturing most counters |
played by the Igbirra; similar game probably by the Igara
|
Imbelece |
Ambala |
D. R. of the Congo (near Kisangani) |
3x6 (outer rows) or 4 (central row) |
3 |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Genya; men's game
|
Ise Ozin Egbe |
--- |
Nigeria |
2x3 |
irregular (a total of 22) |
multiple |
repetition of the board position |
solitaire game
|
Isafuba |
--- |
Zimbabwe |
4x8-15 and more |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Kalanga
|
Isiimbi |
--- |
Tanzania |
4x8 |
irregular (8 on board, 56 in hand) |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent; capturing all counters from the opponent's inner row |
simplified Bao la Kiswahili variant played by the Fipa
|
Isolo I |
--- |
Zambia |
2x8 |
2 (plus an unlimited stock) |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Bemba
|
Isolo II |
Isumbi |
Tanzania |
4x8 |
2 |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by Sukuma girls
|
Isolo III |
Isumbi |
Tanzania |
4x8 |
2 (then rearranged) |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by Sukuma boys
|
J'erin |
--- |
Nigeria |
2x6 |
4 |
single |
capturing most counters |
played by the Yoruba; similar to Ba-awa
|
Je ki n je |
--- |
Nigeria |
2x6 |
4 |
single / multiple |
capturing most counters |
---
|
J'odu |
Jodokarase |
Nigeria (Keta) |
2x6 |
4 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
played by Yoruba women and children
|
Kabwenga |
--- |
Zambia |
4x8 |
irregular |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Bantu Botatwe
|
Kacigh |
--- |
Kenya |
4x11-12 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
variant of Omweso played by the Pokot
|
Kale |
--- |
Gabon |
2x6 |
4 |
single |
capturing most counters |
variant of Oware played by the Fang
|
Kanona |
--- |
Zambia (Mwinilunga District) |
4x8 |
2 |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Lunda
|
Kâra |
--- |
Sudan (Kordofan) |
2x6 |
7 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
played by the Bagara during Ramadan; four-person game
|
Katra Fandatsaka |
--- |
Madagascar |
4x8 |
irregular (12 on board, 52 in hand) |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent; capturing all counters from the opponent's inner row |
simplified Bao la Kiswahili variant
|
Katra Gorobaka |
--- |
Madagascar |
4x8 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Tanala and Merina
|
Katra Mpantsaka |
--- |
Madagascar |
4x8 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Tanala and Merina
|
Katro I |
--- |
Madagascar (Fianarantsoa) |
6x6 |
2 |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Betsileo; sowing in a unique "boustrophedon" direction; only 6-row game
|
Keci |
Kecig |
Kenya |
4x9-15 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Pokot
|
Kecuek |
--- |
Kenya |
4x10-12 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Tugen
|
Kiela |
--- |
Angola (North) |
4x10 |
irregular for advanced players (a total of 56) |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Kimbundu; tournaments
|
Ki-Nyamwezi |
--- |
Kenya |
4x4 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Digo
|
Kiothi |
--- |
Kenya |
2x10 |
4 leftmost holes are empty, each of the 6 rightmost contain 5 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
played by the Meru; Kiothi Club in the 1970s
|
Kisolo |
Cisolo |
D. R. of the Congo |
4x6-7 |
3 |
Pussa Kanawa |
capture all seeds in the opponent's inner row |
played by the Luba, Lulula and Songye
|
Kisoro |
Kisolo |
D. R. of the Congo |
4x8 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Ngbaka, Ngbandi and Mbanja; related to Mangola
|
Kisumbi |
--- |
D. R. of the Congo |
4x8 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Sanga
|
Koumma |
Hefari (?), Hefira (?) |
Morocco (Ouled M'taâ) |
2x3 |
6 |
single |
capturing more counters |
played by Arabic people; variant of Um ed-Dyar
|
Kpo |
Kbo, Poo |
Liberia |
2x6 |
4 (3 if 3 or 4 play) |
single |
capturing more counters |
played by the Deys, Veys, Pesseh, Gedibo and Queah; minor variant of Oware, which can also be played by 3 or 4 persons
|
Krur |
Crur, Hrur, Khrour, Krour, Kurùr |
Mauretania, Morocco (Western Sahara) |
2x4 |
4 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
played by the Hassaniya; children's game
|
Kuoless |
--- |
Guinea |
2x2-10 |
4 |
single |
capturing more counters |
played by the Baga; variant of Oware, which can also be played by 2-10 persons
|
Kwahilka Aitidikus |
--- |
Eritrea, Ethiopia |
3x3 |
1 (in the first hole: 2) |
multiple |
learning to play mancala games |
solitaire
|
Lahemay Waladat |
--- |
Ethiopia (southern Tigré) |
2x6 |
4 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
---
|
Lamè Uwèlèdèt |
--- |
Eritrea |
3x6 |
3 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
variant of Sulus Nishtaw
|
Lami |
--- |
Ethiopia (South) |
2x10 |
2 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
played by the Borana; variant of Lamlameta
|
Lamlameta |
--- |
Ethiopia (Olanta) |
2x12 |
2 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
played by the Konso
|
Latho |
--- |
Ethiopia (south-central) |
2x6 |
irregular (a total of 30) |
none |
removing all counters blindfolded |
played by the Dorze; a game of memory
|
Layli Goobalay I |
--- |
Somalia |
2x6 |
4 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
played by Somali camel herders
|
Layli Goobalay II |
--- |
Somalia (Berbera, Somaliland) |
2x12 |
4 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
played by Somali camel herders
|
Leka |
--- |
D. R. of the Congo, Uganda |
4x8 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
variant of Omweso played by the Alur
|
Lela |
Lien' |
D. R. of the Congo |
4x7 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Kuba
|
Li'b al-Aqil |
--- |
Egypt |
2x6 |
arbitrary (a total of 72) |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
---
|
Li'b al-Ghashim |
--- |
Egypt |
2x6 |
arbitrary (a total of 72) |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
---
|
Li'bat Iblis |
Gamma |
Sudan, West Africa |
2x4 |
4 |
multiple |
repetition of position |
played by the Dogon and other people
|
Lubasi |
Mvete, Mbese |
D. R. of the Congo |
4x7 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Sengere and Lubala; related to Mangola
|
Luela |
Cela |
Angola, D. R. of the Congo |
4x11 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Bindi and Cokwe
|
Lukho |
--- |
Kenya (Mount Elgon) |
2x8 |
irregular |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
played by the Bukuso; game of mature males
|
Lusolo |
--- |
Kenya |
4x8 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Lega
|
Luuth |
--- |
Ethiopia (West), Sudan |
2x7 |
4 |
single |
capturing most counters |
played by the Nuer; men's game
|
Mangala |
--- |
Egypt (Red Sea Coast), Sudan (Coast) |
2x6 |
arbitrary (a total of 70) |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
played by the Bedawi
|
Mangola |
--- |
D. R. of the Congo (Kinshasa) |
4x8 |
2 |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
new game developped after 1911
|
Mangura |
--- |
D. R. of the Congo |
4x10? |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Boa; predecessor of modern Mangola
|
Mbangbi |
--- |
Cameroon |
2x5 |
8 |
single |
capturing most counters |
played by the Nsungli
|
Mbele |
Nembele |
D. R. of the Congo |
4x8 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Kaliko, Logo, Mangbele and Mangbetu; related to Mangola
|
Mbelele |
--- |
D. R. of the Congo (between Kisangani and Buto) |
3x16 (outer rows) or 4 (central row) |
2 |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Manga
|
Mbothe |
--- |
Keya (Tana river) |
2x10 |
2 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
played by the Pokome by both sexes
|
Mefuvha |
--- |
South Africa (Northeast) |
4x6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 or 28 |
2 except for the leftmost hole of the inner row, which has 0, and the adjacent hole (same row), which contains 1 |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Venda; symbolic meanings are athmospheric conflict and cattle-raiding
|
Mongale |
--- |
Kenya (Mombasa) |
4x8 |
irregular (a total of 64) |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
---
|
Mongola |
--- |
D. R. of the Congo |
4x7 |
alternately 4 and 0 |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
---
|
Moruba |
Maruba, Mofuba, Ncuva, Tshimaya, Ntijwa, Tsoro |
South Africa (Transvaal) |
4x6, 8, 10, 12, 14, or 16 |
2 |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
originally played by the Pedi; tournaments
|
Msuwa |
--- |
Malawi |
4x8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 or 20 |
2 except in the right-hand endhole of the front row (=0) |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Mayanja; related to Nsolo
|
Msuwa Wa Kunja |
--- |
Malawi |
4x8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 or 20 |
2 in the back row; 0 in the front row |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Mayanja; related to Nsolo
|
Mucuba |
--- |
D. R. of the Congo, Rwanda (Lake Kivu area) |
4x8 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Shi
|
Mulabalaba |
--- |
Zambia |
4x6, 8, 12 or 16 |
2 or 3 |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Lozi and Toka
|
Mutiteba |
--- |
D. R. of the Congo, Rwanda (Lake Kivu area) |
4x8 |
irregular |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Hunde
|
Mwambulula |
--- |
Zambia (Kasana) |
4x8 |
2 in the outer rows; 16 in hand |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Bemba
|
Nakabili |
--- |
Zambia |
4x8 |
2 except the front left-hand hole which has 0 |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Bantu Botatwe
|
Nam-Nam |
--- |
Ghana |
2x6 |
4 |
multiple |
capturing most seeds |
played by the Twi; variant of Ba-awa
|
Nambayi |
--- |
D. R. of the Congo (Panga) |
2x8 (outer rows) or 2 (central row) |
3 |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Popoi; related to Embeli
|
Ncaya |
--- |
Mozambique, Tanzania |
4x5-8 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Konde
|
Nchuba |
Ncuba |
Zambia |
4x8 |
2 in the back row; 0 in the front row |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Tumbuka
|
Nchuwa |
--- |
Malawi |
4x6, 9, 12, 15 |
2 |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Atonga
|
Ndebukya |
--- |
D. R. of the Congo, Uganda |
4x7 |
2 |
Pussa Kanawa |
capture all seeds in the opponent's inner row |
played by the Nande; related to Kisolo
|
Ndoto |
--- |
Kenya |
2x8 |
2 |
multiple |
having more counters on the own side |
played by the Kilinye
|
Ngikilees |
--- |
Uganda |
4x8, 10 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Karamojong
|
Ngikiles |
--- |
Kenya |
4x12 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Turkana
|
Ngikileth |
Amoru |
Ethiopia, Uganda |
4x11, 12, 13 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Nyangatom
|
Njombwa |
--- |
Malawi |
4x8, 9, 10 |
irregular |
multiple |
capturing all counters |
played by the Yao
|
Nsa Isong |
Nsa-Isong |
Nigeria |
2x6 |
4 |
multiple |
capturing most seeds |
played by the Efik; related to Ba-awa
|
Nsolo |
Nchombwa |
Malawi, Zambia (Ndola) |
4x8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 or 36 |
2 except for the rightmost hole in each inner rows |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Angoni
|
Nsumbi |
--- |
D. R. of the Congo |
4x8 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Taabwa
|
Num-Num |
--- |
Ghana |
2x6 |
4 |
multiple |
minor variant of Adi
|
Obridjie |
--- |
Nigeria |
2x6 |
4 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
played by the Ijaw; women's game; related to Ba-awa
|
Oce |
--- |
Tanzania (Kilimanjaro) |
2x6 |
? |
multiple? |
capturing most seeds |
played by the Caga
|
Ocela |
--- |
Angola |
4x14 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
---
|
Ohojichi |
Ohojitxi |
2x6 |
4 |
single |
passing all seeds to the opponent |
---
|
Oluwuka |
--- |
Nigeria |
2x6 |
4 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
variant of Oware
|
Omweso |
Mweisho, Mweso, Omwesso |
Uganda |
4x8 |
4 in the outer rows; 0 in the inner rows |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent and numerous other (positional) victory conditions |
played by the Buganda; national game; men only; tournaments
|
Otra |
--- |
D. R. of the Congo |
4x8 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Kaliko; variant of Otu
|
Otu |
--- |
D. R. of the Congo |
4x8 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Lugbara
|
Ouri |
--- |
Cape Vert |
2x6 |
4 |
single |
capturing most counters |
variant of Oware
|
Oware |
Awélé, Awalé, Aware, Ayo, Ayoayo, Dagboprou, Oura, Ouri, Ouril, Ourin, Ti, Wari, Wolo, Wora, Woro (numerous names for closely related variants) |
Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, Nigeria, Sierra Leone |
2x6 |
4 |
single |
capturing most counters |
played by the Akan; most popular mancala game; tournaments
|
Pereauni |
--- |
Uganda |
4x8 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Didinga, Topotha and Dodoth
|
Qelat I |
--- |
Eritrea |
2x6 |
4 |
single |
capturing most counters |
played by the Beni Amir and Mensa; men's game; often for large stakes
|
Qelat II |
--- |
Eritrea (Keren-Agordat) |
2x6 |
4 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
played by both sexes; adult's game
|
Rio Kadalis |
--- |
Somalia (Hargheisa, Jigjiga) |
2x6 |
4 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
played by the Habr Awal
|
Ruhesho |
--- |
Tanzania |
4x8 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Ha, Nyambo, Sumbwa, Yoza, Ziba, and Zinza
|
Sadéqa |
--- |
Ethiopia, Sudan |
2x10 |
4 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
played by the Jimma; men's game
|
Selus |
--- |
Eritrea (Massawa) |
3x6 |
3 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
---
|
Shayo |
--- |
Nigeria |
2x6 |
4 |
single |
capturing most counters |
Oware variant played by the Yoruba
|
Sokusowó |
--- |
Nigeria |
2x6 |
4 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
---
|
Songo Douala |
--- |
Cameroon |
2x7 |
8 |
single |
capturing most counters |
played by the Ekang; men's game; tournaments
|
Songo Ewondo |
Songa |
Cameroon, D. R. of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon |
2x7 |
5 |
single |
capturing most counters |
played by the Douala game; tournaments
|
Soro |
--- |
Sudan |
4x8 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Bari
|
Spreta |
--- |
Malawi |
4x8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 or 20 |
1 except in the right-hand endhole of the front row (=0) and the third from the left in the front row (=3) |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Achikunda; related to Msuwa
|
Sulus Aidi |
Awagagá |
Eritrea |
3x6 |
3 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
---
|
Sulus Nishtaw |
--- |
Eritrea |
3x6 |
3 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
---
|
Sute |
--- |
Malawi |
4x8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 or 20 |
1 except in the right-hand endhole of the front row (=0) |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Achikunda
|
Takti |
--- |
Tanzania |
2x9 |
3 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
played by the Iraqw
|
Tapata |
--- |
Ethiopia (South) |
2x12 |
irregular |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
played by the Konso; related to Gamacha
|
Tchadji |
--- |
Mozambique (Ilha de Moçambique) |
4x8 |
2 |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
---
|
Tchouba |
Nchuwa, Tschuba |
Mozambique (Inhambane, Zavala) |
4x16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 |
2 |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Tonga and Chopi; largest mancala game
|
Tegre |
--- |
Ethiopia (South) |
2x6 |
4 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
played by the Dorze
|
Tihbat |
--- |
Morocco (Taurirt) |
2x2 |
7 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
children's game
|
Tok Ku Rou |
Tok Kurou |
Ethiopia (Far West), Sudan |
4x12-13 |
4 |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Dinka and the Shilluk; variant of Baré
|
Tokoro |
Tokolo |
D. R. of the Congo |
4x8 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Ngbaka, Ngbandi and Mangbetu; related to Mangola
|
Tsoro |
Fuva, Imbwe |
Zimbabwe (Northeast) |
4x6, 8, 12, 15, 18, 21 |
2 in the outer holes; the inner holes have 0 |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Shona
|
Udi |
Curi |
Kenya |
4x4-6 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Digo
|
Uera |
--- |
Namibia (Okavango) |
4x10 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
variant of Hus played by the Mbukusha
|
Um ed-Dyar |
Enmediar, Krur, Khrour, Kurúr, Manddiaré, Umdiyar, Umm Dyar |
Mauretania |
2x2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 |
4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 (depending on the board size) |
single |
capturing most counters |
played by the Hassaniya; women's game; popular during Ramadan and after Zohor
|
Um el Bagara |
Mangala |
Sudan (Kordofan) |
2x5 |
5 |
single |
capturing most counters |
played by the Kababish Arabs; popular during Ramadan; related to Alemungula
|
Um el Banat |
Mazageb |
Eritrea, Sudan (North) |
2x6 |
4 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
played by the Kababish Arabs
|
Um el Tuweisat |
--- |
Sudan (Kordofan) |
2x3 |
3 |
single |
capturing most counters |
played by the Kababish Arab children; related to Um el Bagara
|
Um Laarais |
--- |
Morocco (Western Sahara) |
2x6 |
4 |
multiple |
capturing most counters |
three-person game
|
Urim |
Huri, Ouri, Ourim, Òrè, Ori, Ôrim, Ourim, Uri, Urim, Urinca |
Cape Vert |
2x6 |
4 |
single |
capturing most counters |
variant of Oware
|
Usolo |
--- |
Tanzania |
4x16 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Turu
|
Wouri |
--- |
Mali |
2x6 |
4 |
multiple |
played by the Malinke; variant of Ba-awa
|
Yit |
--- |
Sudan |
4x12 |
? |
multiple |
immobilize the opponent |
played by the Nuer
|