Mancala Games
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This list is meant to help the BGG community to find mancala games which are described at BoardGameGeek. The most important characteristic of these games are that pieces are spread or "sown" (usually one by one) over the board. Therefore these games are also known as sowing games among mathematicians. The list starts with one dimensional games (traditional ones first) and continues with two-dimensional games.

Please suggest any additions! If accepted, you will receive a GeekGold from me!

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1. Board Game: Kalah [Average Rating:5.92 Overall Rank:3722]
Board Game: Kalah
Ralf Gering
(FiveStars)
Germany
Germany
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Mancala is actually the generic term for hundreds of games where pieces are "sown" over the board. It is named after an Egyptian game, which was popular in the first half of the 18th century in Cairo.

In the USA, mancala is also used as a synomym for Kalah, a modern variant, which was invented by William Champion in 1940. The picture on the left shows a typical American-style "mancala" (Kalah) board with fancy glass stones.
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2. Board Game: Adji-boto [Average Rating:9.00 Unranked]
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Ralf Gering
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Germany
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Adji-boto ("pebble boat") is a mancala game which is played by the Saramaccans who live on the upper Saramacca river in Suriname. The game is deep and challenging.
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3. Board Game: Bao [Average Rating:6.78 Overall Rank:8170]
Board Game: Bao
Ralf Gering
(FiveStars)
Germany
Germany
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Bao, also called Bao La Kiswahili, is the most difficult traditional mancala game. There are tournaments in Tanzania, Kenya, and Malawi.
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4. Board Game: Bosh [Average Rating:6.50 Unranked]
Board Game: Bosh
Ralf Gering
(FiveStars)
Germany
Germany
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Indian-style mancala played in Somalia and proving the close trade relations between the Horn of Africa and the Indian subcontinent.

NOTE: BOARDGAMEGEEK FORCES ME TO SHOW A PICTURE WHICH IS COMPLETELY UNRELATED TO THIS GAME!
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5. Board Game: Gabata [Average Rating:9.00 Unranked]
Board Game: Gabata
Ralf Gering
(FiveStars)
Germany
Germany
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Gabata (also spelled "Gebeta") is the generic term for mancala games played in Ethiopia and Eritrea. It is used for many two-row games, but also for several three-rank mancala games.

A wide-spread three-rank gabata is Abalala'e (Tigrinya for "eating"), which is played in the highlands of Eritrea. An excellent game is Selus.
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6. Board Game: Hawalis [Average Rating:9.00 Unranked]
Board Game: Hawalis
Ralf Gering
(FiveStars)
Germany
Germany
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The national mancala game of Oman
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7. Board Game: Imbelece [Average Rating:9.00 Unranked]
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Ralf Gering
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Germany
Germany
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Imbelece is a three-row mancala game of the Genya (also known as Wagenia). It is fun to play and feels unique.
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8. Board Game: Katro [Average Rating:9.00 Unranked]
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Ralf Gering
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Germany
Germany
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The six-rank variant of the Betsileo people is particularly difficult to master.
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9. Board Game: Layli goobalay [Average Rating:3.00 Unranked]
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Ralf Gering
(FiveStars)
Germany
Germany
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The national mancala game of Somalia
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10. Board Game: Mandoli [Average Rating:3.00 Unranked]
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Ralf Gering
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Germany
Germany
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A traditional mancala game that was observed on the Greek island of Hydra in 1810
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11. Board Game: Omweso [Average Rating:8.06 Unranked]
Board Game: Omweso
Ralf Gering
(FiveStars)
Germany
Germany
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The national game of Uganda is also promoted by the International Omweso Society in the UK.
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12. Board Game: Oware [Average Rating:6.45 Overall Rank:5289]
Board Game: Kalah
Ralf Gering
(FiveStars)
Germany
Germany
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Oware (also known as Awale, Awele, Ouril ...) is the most popular mancala game. It is played in West Africa, the Caribbean and now also in many European countries. There are tournaments in about 20 states.
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13. Board Game: Pachgarhwa [Average Rating:2.00 Unranked]
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Ralf Gering
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Germany
Germany
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A mancala game played in Uttar Pradesh, India
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14. Board Game: Selus [Average Rating:6.00 Unranked]
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Ralf Gering
(FiveStars)
Germany
Germany
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One of the best three-row games.
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15. Board Game: Toğızqumalaq [Average Rating:8.28 Unranked]
Board Game: Toğızqumalaq
Ralf Gering
(FiveStars)
Germany
Germany
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Toguz Kumalak is one of the most difficult mancala games in terms of tactics and strategy.
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16. Board Game: Um El Bagara [Average Rating:6.00 Unranked]
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Ralf Gering
(FiveStars)
Germany
Germany
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The Cow Game.
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17. Board Game: 55Stones [Average Rating:5.75 Unranked]
Board Game: 55Stones
Ralf Gering
(FiveStars)
Germany
Germany
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A new web published mancala game with simultaneous moves and no draws.
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18. Board Game: Afrika [Average Rating:6.53 Unranked]
Board Game: Afrika
Ralf Gering
(FiveStars)
Germany
Germany
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A mancala game with forced moves.
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19. Board Game: Afro-Celt Mancala System [Average Rating:0.00 Unranked]
Board Game: Stonehenge: An Anthology Board Game
Ralf Gering
(FiveStars)
Germany
Germany
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An abstract strategy game for Stonehenge
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20. Board Game: Bao Arabica [Average Rating:7.83 Unranked]
Board Game: Bao Arabica
Ralf Gering
(FiveStars)
Germany
Germany
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A challenging Oware variant which can be played by 2, 3 or 4 people. It is very close to Grand Coastal Oh-Wah-Ree.

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21. Board Game: Calady [Average Rating:6.00 Unranked]
Board Game: Calady
Ralf Gering
(FiveStars)
Germany
Germany
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An interesting mancala game for four people which is played on a cross-shaped board with intersecting rows.


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22. Board Game: Catch 19 [Average Rating:3.50 Unranked]
Board Game: Catch 19
Ralf Gering
(FiveStars)
Germany
Germany
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Three-dimensional design, but otherwise not particuarly genuine mancala variant.
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23. Board Game: Cirk [Average Rating:5.92 Unranked]
Board Game: Cirk
Ralf Gering
(FiveStars)
Germany
Germany
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An innovative mancala game created by the famous Dutch game inventor Corné van Moorsel.
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24. Board Game: Cranium Grab & Go Mancala Mania [Average Rating:5.50 Unranked]
Board Game: Cranium Grab & Go Mancala Mania
Ralf Gering
(FiveStars)
Germany
Germany
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Try the "purple stone" variant!
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25. Board Game: Cups [Average Rating:5.60 Overall Rank:16342]
Board Game: Cups
Ralf Gering
(FiveStars)
Germany
Germany
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A good game also played on Brettspielwelt.de
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