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The game traces its roots back to the Middle East and Africa as part of the global mancala family, where similar boards date back thousands of years. Traders and merchants brought the game through maritime trade routes to Southeast Asia, making a home in ports like Malacca. It grew popular among Malays, Peranakans, and regional communities.
1. Setup the Board
1. Setup the Board
The board has two rows of small holes (villages) and two large holes at the ends (storehouses).
Place 7 seeds (or marbles) into each of the small holes on your side. Leave the large storehouses empty.
2. Take Turns Moving
2. Take Turns Moving
Both players take their first turn at the exact same time.
Pick up all the seeds from any hole on your side of the board.
3. Drop the Seeds
3. Drop the Seeds
Moving clockwise, drop one seed into each hole you pass, including your own storehouse (on your left), but skip your opponent's storehouse.
4. Continue Your Turn
4. Continue Your Turn
If your last seed lands in a hole that already has seeds in it, pick up all the seeds in that hole and keep going.
If your last seed lands in an empty hole on your side, your turn ends. If that empty hole is directly across from your opponent's hole with seeds, you capture all their seeds and put them in your storehouse!
5. Winning the Game
5. Winning the Game
The game ends when all the small holes are empty.
Count the seeds in your storehouse. The player with the most seeds wins!
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