Zohn Ahl
Zohn Ahl Board
Alternate Names
Zohn Ahl is a Kiowa word. Zohn translating as "creek," a feature of the board; and Ahl translating as "wood," the term for the dice.
Note that the two names create an interesting but coincidental sonic overlap: Whereas Tsoñä means the "awl game," referring to the 2 awls used as playing pieces. But "ahl" and "awl" have no relation to each other, one being a Kiowa word, the other English, and signifying different objects. So while the game may be referred to as "Zohn Ahl" or "the Awl Game" or even "the Ahl Game" (meaning "the stick dice game"), "Zohn Awl" would be incorrect.
No. of Players
Two or two equal teams
Equipment
The Zohn Ahl board is often marked on a cloth or blanket. A flat stone is placed at the center of the board with which the ahl dice are vigorously thrown against on a player's turn. Four half-cylinder split sticks called ahl are used for dice. Three of the ahl dice are marked on their flat sides with red grooves while the fourth is marked with a blue, black or green groove. This fourth stick is called sahe ("green"). The round sides of the two types of ahl are usually also distinguished, though this is not necessary for game play.
An even number of sticks, usually eight, are also required to keep score in Zohn Ahl. In addition, each player or team has a single distinctive counter used to mark their progress around the board.
History
Zohn Ahl is a traditional game played by the Kiowa Indians of the North American Great Plains. There are many similar Race Games played by Native Americans, although Zohn Ahl is probably the best described in literature.
Objective
A player has won the game when she has won all of the scoring sticks.
Play
Each side begins with half the counters and its awl at its own space 1, the awls moving in opposite directions, one side clockwise, the other counterclockwise (illustration). A player throws the 4 stick dice and moves her awl the indicated number of spaces, and if appropriate, throws again (see table). The fact that "throwing" is said to go around the circle counterclockwise (which would be meaningless in alternate turns) may indicate that, when playing in teams, all players on one side throw and move, followed by all players on the other side in their turn.
The four 2-sided stick dice, one with a specially marked flat side (sahe, "green"), can fall in 8 possible configurations, yielding the indicated values:
Each side begins with half the counters and its awl at its own space 1, the awls moving in opposite directions, one side clockwise, the other counterclockwise (see illustration). A player throws the 4 stick dice and moves her awl the indicated number of spaces, and if appropriate, throws again (see table). The fact that "throwing" is said to go around the circle counterclockwise (which would be meaningless in alternate turns) may indicate that, when playing in teams, allplayers on one side throw and move, followed by all players on the other side in their turn.
The 4 2-sided stick dice, 1 with a specially marked flat side (sahe, "green"), can fall in 8 possible configurations, yielding the indicated values:("+" means "and throw again". "NA" mean "not applicable"; the throw is not possible.)
When a player lands on her space 20, the near bank of the "creek," she "falls in": her side loses one counter and the awl is returned to the beginning space 1. (Note that an opponent's space 20 is the far side of the creek, and safe.) Likewise when a player lands on her opponent's awl, the opponent is "whipped" back to her space 1, and loses one counter. The "dry branch" spaces have no special effect, and function just as any other space.
When a player completes a full circuit with her awl, she wins one counter, and continues around in the same direction, moving the full value of her throw. If, however, her throw causes her to land on her space 40, she falls into the creek and is returned to space 1, losing one counter.
The game is won when one side wins all the counters.
Variations
Zohn Ahl is often equated with a game called Tsoñä ("awl game"), also played by the Kiowa.
Sources