Mancala

Mancala is not a single game, but a whole category of games. Mancala games all evolved from ancient African pastimes, and all share a similar gameboard consisting of a series of shallow holes, with game pieces called "seeds". Gameplay involves moving the seeds from hole to hole according to the rules of the particular game being played. This movement of the seeds is referred to as "sowing". Games are won by capturing the most seeds. Mancala games are generally for two players only.

Specific Mancala games include "Abalala'e", "Ayoayo", "Bao", "Bechi", "Deka", "Gabata", "Gamacha", "Giuthi", "Njombwa", "Nsumbi", "Qelat", "The Cow Game", "The Game Of Daughters", and "Wari".

The standard Mancala board has two rows of six holes each, plus one larger "storehouse" hole on each end to keep captured seeds. Some of the Mancala variations require boards with greater or fewer holes.

Complete rules are available from Pressman Toy, Masters Games, and Game Cabinet, among other sites.

Mancala Games

Mancala Links

• Fritz Dooley's How to Play Mancala - and WIN!
  How to play mancala - the ancient board game, including a research paper analyzing human vs. computer mancala strategy.
• Mancala World
  Mancala World is the biggest and most comprehensive internet resource on mancala games. It is the ultimate source for information on this family of board games.
• Mind Sports Mancala
  History and rules for Mancala games, including Bao, Congklak, Kalah, Omweso, Oware, and other variations.
• PlayOK Mancala
  PlayOK offers free online games that you can play right from your browser, with no download required. [Java]
• Traditional Games: Mancala, Oware and Bao
  History and rules to Mancala and similar games.
• Wikipedia Mancala
  Learn about Mancala from the online encyclopedia.