“Bao” is the Swahili word for “board”’

Have you ever played Bao? “Bao” is the Swahili word for “board”’ or “board game,” and it’s a popular game in Tanzania.

It consists of a board with two rows of pits containing seeds. The objective is to move seeds around the board and thereby take those of the opponent until he cannot move.

Bao is among the most complex mancala games in gameplay, and masters of the game are held in high regard, much like chess masters are esteemed in other parts of the world. Elders are often seen playing the game while discussing politics and other important matters at the end of the day. I recall vividly an image that recurred throughout my experiences in Tanzania: sundown at a bustling bus stand and tired old men ignoring noise and distraction so they can instead furrow their brows at seeds scattered in divots in wood, bothering to speak only if an onlooker dares challenge their strategy or if election news comes on a nearby shop's television.

Postcards from Tanzania