Mancala Game Instructions

The Mancala game has a rich history that spans thousands of years, with evidence of its existence found in various parts of the world. In Estonia, it was once very popular under the name 'Bohnen Spiel', while in Bosnia, Serbia, and Greece, similar games have been played for centuries.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of Mancala is found in a 14th century Geʽez text called 'Mysteries of Heaven and Earth' by Giyorgis of Segla. The game was referred to as 'qarqis', which was also used to describe Gebet'a (mancala) and Sant'araz (Ethiopian chess).

Archaeological discoveries have uncovered fragments of pottery boards and rock cuts in Aksumite areas in Matara, Eritrea, and Yeha, Ethiopia, dating back to between the 6th and 7th centuries AD. Similar evidence has been found in Kenya and Israel, with pottery boards and rock cuts unearthed in a Roman bathhouse in Gedera dating back to between the 2nd and 3rd century AD.

The oldest discovered Mancala boards are those found in 'Ain Ghazal, Jordan, which date back to around 5,870 BC. These ancient boards were found in the floor of a Neolithic dwelling, providing evidence of the game's long history.

Mancala is not only an ancient game but also one that is still widely played today. The objective of the game is usually to capture all or some set of the opponent's pieces by moving stones, beans, or seeds around rows of holes or pits on a board or playing surface.

The game has been played in various forms and under different names throughout history. In Arabic, Mancala is referred to as 'manqalah', and it is a family of two-player turn-based strategy games that has stood the test of time. Despite its long history, Mancala remains a popular and challenging game that continues to be enjoyed by people all over the world.

Mancala game instructions