Back in May I posted about boys playing mancala. I have heard the Dinka here call it "awet," but I have been doing a little research online and found that it is also called "tok ku rou." This literally means "one and two," which conveys the idea of counting. Very appropriate, since this game is based on much counting and calculation.
There's a big tree near our radio compound where there are several awet "boards" dug into the sand and they get good use. One day earlier this month as I approached the tree I saw two men playing. They graciously let me take pictures and video.
Interestingly, I found a striking picture on the net of a Dinka man playing this game sometime between 1947 and 1951.
There's a big tree near our radio compound where there are several awet "boards" dug into the sand and they get good use. One day earlier this month as I approached the tree I saw two men playing. They graciously let me take pictures and video.
Each player owns two rows and only plays in those rows, but tries to
capture counters from his opponent's side. The Dinka in our area use
four rows of 10 holes, although it seems that 12 or 13 holes are more
common.
Interestingly, I found a striking picture on the net of a Dinka man playing this game sometime between 1947 and 1951.
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