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Let’s Play Mancala

Mancala is an ancient game that is still played the world over. Students will investigate its origins and create their own mancala board and pieces.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Paper Cups
  • Recycled Cardboard Box

Steps

  • Step 1

    Mancala is one of the oldest known board games in the world. Evidence of the game has been found dating back to the year 700 C.E. in Eritrea and Ethiopia. It is believed that Middle Eastern traders brought the game there during their travels. It is also believed that the game was brought to the United States by enslaved Africans. "mancala" is from the word "naqala" which means "to move" in Arabic. Have students research the origins of the game and how to play it.

  • Step 2

    Have students form pairs to collaboratively create a mancala board and pieces. The game requires two rows, with each row containing six "pits" or cups. They can use a decorated shallow box such as a shoe box lid for the base and 12 small cups, such as common paper cups, as the pits. They will need an extra cup at the end of each row to be the "store." They also need to create 48 "stones" out of Model Magic.

  • Step 3

    When the board and pieces are complete, have the student pairs enjoy playing this time-honored game. They can later switch partners to experience other teams' mancala boards.

  • Step 6

Standards

SS: Culture: Create, learn, share, and adapt to culture.

Adaptations

Have students research other games that have been around for centuries. For example, researchers found a stone in Scotland dating back to the 10th century etched with a game board believed to be used for playing "hnefatafl" or Viking chess. Additionally, the game of "Go" was developed in China between 2,500 and 4,000 years ago and is still played today.

Playing board games can increase cognitive function and enhance problem-solving skills. Encourage students to forgo an evening of electronic screens and have a game night with their family and/or friends.