Mancala board games

Author(s)

• Voogt, Alexander J. de

Bibliographic Information

Mancala board games

Alexander J. De Voogt

British Museum Press, 1997

Note

Catalogue of Asian and African mancala boards from the Ethnography Department of the British Museum

Bibliography: p. 78-79

Description and Table of Contents

Description

Mancala is a popular board game played across Africa, in Central and Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Its antiquity and origins are still disputed by scholars. Drawing on historical, literary and ethnographic evidence, this book aims to discuss the possible origins of mancala and its distribution. The basic rules and moves within the game are described as well as the diverse range of materials used in constructing mancala boards. The significance of the use of mancala boards during funerary ceremonies and male initiation rituals is examined, along with its role as a leisure activity played by men, women and children. The game continues to be played in Africa and Asia, reflecting its enduring popularity.

Table of Contents

• History of mancala - origins, basic rules, names, distribution, shapes of boards
• changing objects - cultural and social context, mancala and gender
• the making of mancala boards - material, carving, colour
• mancala playing boards - types of board, playing characteristics, pieces
• the art of mancala boards - symbolism, ritual use of mancala, prestige objects
• the future of mancala.

by "Nielsen BookData"

Details

• NCID: BB01574130
• ISBN:
  • 0714125369
• Country Code: uk
• Title Language Code: eng
• Text Language Code: eng
• Place of Publication: London
• Pages/Volumes: 80 p
• Size: 24cm
• Classification:
  • DC21 : 794.074
• Subject Headings:
  • BLSH : British Museum. Dept of Ethnography -- Catalogs
  • LCSH : Mancala (Game)
  • LCSH : Gameboards -- Asia
  • LCSH : Gameboards -- Africa
  • LCSH : Gameboards -- England -- London -- Catalogs