Misconceptions in the History of Mancala Games

Antiquity and Ubiquity

Bibliographic Data

ID22017682
AuthorsA De Voogt (0000-0002-1763-2288, Drew University, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume15
Issue1
Pages1-12
Publication date2021-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBoard Game Studies Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2183-3311 • E-ISSN: 2183-3311
PublisherWalter de Gruyter GmbH (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.2478/bgs-2021-0001
OpenAlexW3159451676
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited15

Mancala games are commonly defined by the appearance of the boards and mode of moving the pieces. The similarities have led to the belief that most mancala games are historically related or that they may be identified by appearances alone. Their ubiquity in Africa and their occurrence as graffiti boards on ancient monuments has created speculation about their antiquity. To this date their ancient status cannot be confirmed by archaeological or historical evidence. Based on today’s understanding, mancala games are of distinct kinds with separate histories while their antiquity goes back hundreds of years but not yet thousands. Mancala games have been instrumental in showing that so-called complex societies and the presence of board games are not necessarily related. By extension, state formation and the development of board games should not be connected based on the evidence of contemporary mancala gaming practices

Aesthetics · Art · Graffiti · Speculation · Visual arts · Artificial Intelligence in Games · Digital Games and Media · Gambling Behavior and Treatments · History