

Only a few metal mancala sets in the market have this kind of material. Also, they do not withstand the test of time like wooden mancala game pieces. They are not expected due to their cost, making them expensive compared to natural wood and glass options. Metal – These mancala game sets are usually made out of aluminum, brass, or steel. The playing surface of such porcelain is smooth and hard. These are more expensive, but the porcelain is durable and does not break like glass beads or natural wooden pieces. Porcelain and metal – Porcelain is sometimes used in place of wood to make mancala game pieces. Metal is rare compared to ordinary wooden mancala game pieces. Metal and wood – Some mancalas are from cut metal pieces with small holes drilled into them to let the beads pass through, with natural wooden playing pieces rounded on both ends and placed at the center to form a triangle or row. Some types of mancala game sets also use colored glass beads. Glass beads, though less common than natural wood, are also used as mancala game pieces. Wood and glass beads – The primary material used is simple natural wood pieces with small square holes drilled into them to allow beads to pass through. There are different materials that mancala game sets can be made from. What kind of materials are used in mancala? Finally, it’s good to remember that you cannot put any seed on your hole as this is against the mancala rules. The players continue repetitively until they have no more seeds in their hands or if both players want to quit the game before they run out of seeds. Moving four seeds is not a good move, and you can risk being caught out.ĩ. The player must move all the seeds in one go and not skip a single seed, even if it means bringing two holes together and moving four seeds simultaneously. Any player who has run out of seeds can move his or her remaining seeds from any hole containing three of them into the neighboring pit. It’s useful to keep as many seeds as possible in your pit.Ĩ. If there are four seeds on your pit and you don’t use them for a move, then in your next move, you should add another by putting it on top of the ones already present. If the number of seeds in a hole is two, the player can take them all or only one of them.ħ. You can keep moving back and forth between different pits according to your strategy and win over your opponent.Ħ. You can place more seeds on that pit at the end of each move to use them to your advantage for a large yield on another pit. You can think ahead and plan to win or draw.ĥ. During play, it is essential to keep an eye on your opponent’s moves and know his or her next move before they make it. If there are two seeds, they should take them all.Ĥ. If you placed the seeds in a hole with three seeds, your opponent should put one seed on that pit. Now you can place them in any of your holes that have at least one seed.ģ. The next step is to play till all seeds are off your hand. The four seeds will be taken from two different rows on the same side as the player places their mancala board, and none should be placed in their hole.Ģ. The game begins when each player takes four seeds (or beads) in their hand and drops them into neighboring pits on the board.


MANCALA PLAYING PIECES HOW TO
How to play mancala and the rules of the gameġ. The word mancala is from the Arabic term naqala, which means “to move.” There are many regional variations of the game, but there is no conclusive evidence of its origin. It’s a great family game with mathematical learning for kids as well! Buy Mancala Here Where did mancala originate from?Īrchaeologists have found Mancala games in Aksumite Ethiopia and Yeha, dating back to between 500AD and 700AD. This article will break down the origins and rules of Mancala. Whether you’re playing against someone else or trying to get through your day, this strategy game will keep your mind sharp while giving you plenty of time away from the stresses of life. You can only move forward left or right along the row, but you can capture all stones in front of you with each turn until there are no more to take. The objective of the mancala board game is to capture as many pebbles as possible from your opponents by taking turns dropping a stone into one of the pits on either side of you. It has been played for centuries and has many variations, but the rules are always the same. The oldest Mancala boards were found in An Ghazal, Jordan on the floor of a Neolithic dwelling. Mancala is an ancient and classic game that is still beloved and played widely today! Find out the rules of how to play this legendary game. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
