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A traditional village hut adorns the external lid of this oware foldable board game. From Ghana's Ernestina Oppong Asante, the oware board is carved by hand of seasoned sese wood and the game is played with 48 white marbles.
Oware is a game of skill and strategy designed for two players, challenging mental agility and alertness. The objective can be briefly described as 'counting and capturing beads' and there are no chance factors in it. The player's strategy entirely depends upon the ability for reasoning and counting.
Oware is one of the oldest games in the world. The earliest records describing the game were found in Arab religious texts dating to the Middle Ages, believing the game originated in the Middle East and spread from there to Africa, then to Asia with Arab traders, and to the Caribbean around 1640 via the African slave trade. Other experts place its origins in Central Africa; the Masai people state that oware was invented by Sindillo, the son of the first man, Maitoumbe, and was originally called "geshe."
In Arab countries, the most common name for this game is "mancala" (Arabic word meaning "to move"). In some West African countries the depressions in the board are referred to as "warri" or "wwari," which means houses, thus the name "owari." In Nigeria it is known as "adi," which is also the name of the seeds used to play it; and in South Africa it is called "ohoro." With different and exotic names such as "congklak," "dakon," "aggalacang" and "nogarata," it has also been played in Asia long before the Portuguese rounded the southern tip of Africa.
Today, oware represents the diversity of Africa, as some version of it is played in nearly every country on the continent. Legend relates that Shyaam aMbul aNgoong, founder of the Kuba kingdom of Central Africa, taught the game to his people to encourage foresight and calculation.
Having transcended the passing of the centuries, oware has been enjoyed as a family game, a ceremonial right of passage, or as a form of recreation among friends. It would be hard to find a greater challenge of mathematics, or a more attractive one.
- 0.79 kgs
- 1.7 lbs
- Closed: 29 cm H x 20 cm W x 4.5 cm D
- Closed: 11.5" H x 7.75" W x 1.8" D
- Open: 58.7 cm H x 20 cm W x 4 cm D
- Open: 23" H x 7.75" W x 1.6" D
- Sese wood, plastic marbles
- Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly
- Warning: Choking Hazard. Small parts -- not for children under 3 years.
- Made in Ghana.
- Certified and shipped by our office in West Africa
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- Free Gift Wrap? No
- Premium Gift Wrap? Yes
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Total reviews
24
Verified Reviewer
12/26/2020
"masque correct, mais ......."
Masque correct, mais qui nest pas celui de la photo. La girafe est beaucoup plus fonc?e, mais le probl?me est surtout l?l?phant qui est dune couleur orange fluo, rien ? voir avec la photo, + la trompe et le front ne sont absolument pas sculpt?s, ils sont tout lisses.. Je vais devoir repeindre l?l?phant, car retourner le masque est trop contraignant, et aurait un co?t.
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Animal Kingdom I, African Animal Wall Mask Hand Carved from Wood
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Verified Reviewer
08/28/2020
"outstanding"
The detail and colors come alive. This is a very very nice piece
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Verified Reviewer
07/12/2020
"Birthday gift"
This was a gift and the person loves it.
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Verified Reviewer
10/28/2019
"This is used at my NonProfit -African Djembe.org"
We at the AfricanDjembe.org love and cherish this product used as one of the first to teach our children of African and Indigenous descent about the history of African Drums. Founder & CEO Safiyyah R. Muhammad african djembe.org@gmail.com
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Verified Reviewer
10/16/2019
"Highest quality, unique, very functional"
I ADORE this chair. I use it as my resting chair in my living room (Im tiny), yet also put it out in the garden during the summer (tho I would not leave it out in the sun or rain, of course) . Dont leave this beauty in your cart or someone will get it. Someone spent a great deal of time carefully carving and polishing this and it shows!! PLEASE, PLEASE make an adult version of this chair. I would certainly buy it.
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Verified Reviewer
10/10/2019
"This will make a fine addition to my sons collect"
A finely made mask of sense wood. Beautifully painted and a lovely addition to my sons collection.
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Your Purchase Makes a Difference!
Ernestina supports and provides for her grandchildren's education.
Ernestina Oppong Asante has received 9 microcredit loans with 0% interest from Kiva and Novica, the first for $1600 and the most recent for $800. Proceeds were used to invest in the purchase of wood and paints, as well as leather for the drums.
This artist uses traditional techniques handed down through the generations and/or creates culturally significant items, helping keep these traditions alive.
The Women's Empowerment badge is awarded to female artisans or artisan groups that are led by women.
Every purchase from this artist has a profound impact on their livelihood and income.
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Ernestina Oppong Asante African drums and wood carvings
(24)
Write a review"Though carving has long been regarded as the preserve of men, I'm glad that I have been able not only to infiltrate but to also make an impact on the trade."
