No.356
Mancala: Kalah
Japanese name: マンカラ カラハ
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Diagram key
- A
- The 6 near-side pits are yours; your store is on the right.
Materials
- A board with two rows of six pits and a store at each end
- 72 counting counters
How to play
- Sit opposite each other. Put six counters in each small pit and leave the stores empty. Your six pits and the store to your right belong to you. Choose who starts and alternate turns.
- Take all counters from one non-empty pit on your side. Sow one per pit anticlockwise, starting in the next pit. Include your own store but skip the opponent’s store.
- A last counter in your store earns another turn. If it lands in an empty pit on your side and the opposite pit contains counters, capture both that last counter and the opposite pit’s contents into your store.
- The game ends as soon as either side’s six pits are empty. Transfer any counters left on the other side to that side’s store.
- Count stores. More counters wins; equal totals draw. Change who starts next game.
Ways to adapt
Younger primary: count with an adult. Manage small parts carefully wherever preschool children are nearby.