Play Traditional African Games

Discover, learn and enjoy games from Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and more African countries.

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Featured African Games

Ayo game
Ayo (Nigeria)

A traditional mancala game played throughout West Africa, especially among the Yoruba people.

2 Players Strategic
Bao game
Bao (East Africa)

A complex mancala game popular in Kenya, Tanzania and other parts of East Africa, known as the "king of board games".

2 Players Advanced
Morabaraba game
Morabaraba (South Africa)

A traditional South African strategy board game similar to Nine Men's Morris, played with cows as pieces.

2 Players Tactical
Ampe game
Ampe (Ghana)

A simple but energetic jumping game played by schoolchildren, mostly girls, throughout Ghana.

2+ Players Physical
Dara game
Dara (Nigeria/Senegal)

A strategy game played in Senegal and Nigeria, similar to checkers but with unique African rules.

2 Players Strategic
Mhele game
Mhele (South Africa)

A strategy board game from Southern Africa, also known as "the game of the shield".

2 Players Skill-Based

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How to Play African Games

Learn the rules and strategies for traditional African games with our step-by-step guides.

A

Ayo (Nigeria)

Basic Rules:

  1. Ayo is played on a board with 2 rows of 6 pits.
  2. Each player starts with 4 seeds in each of their 6 pits.
  3. Players take turns picking up all seeds from a pit and sowing them counter-clockwise.
  4. If the last seed lands in an opponent's pit that now contains 2 or 3 seeds, you capture those seeds.
  5. The game ends when a player can no longer make a move. The player with the most captured seeds wins.

Playing Levels:

Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
B

Bao (East Africa)

Basic Rules:

  1. Bao is played on a board with 4 rows of 8 pits (32 pits total).
  2. Each player starts with 32 seeds, with different distribution patterns based on local rules.
  3. Players move seeds around the board in complex patterns that vary by region.
  4. The basic move is to pick up seeds from a pit and sow them in a counter-clockwise direction.
  5. Special moves like capturing and multiple sowings make Bao one of the most complex mancala games.
  6. The game ends when a player cannot move. The player with more seeds in their home row wins.

Playing Levels:

Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert

Video Tutorials

Ayo Game Tutorial

Bao Masterclass

Morabaraba Basics

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African Games Blog

Learn about the history, culture and strategy of traditional African games.

Ayo game history
March 15, 2023 • 5 min read

The History of Ayo: From Yoruba Courts to Digital Playgrounds

Explore how this traditional Nigerian game evolved over centuries and its significance in Yoruba culture...

Read More →
Bao championship
February 28, 2023 • 8 min read

Inside the World Bao Championships in Zanzibar

A first-hand account of the intense strategy and cultural celebration at this prestigious tournament...

Read More →
Children playing games
February 10, 2023 • 6 min read

Preserving African Game Heritage Through Youth Education

How schools in Ghana and Kenya are using traditional games to teach math and critical thinking skills...

Read More →

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