Uthini? / Mancala (2008)

Manufacturer's Description

Welcome to another work of functional art by Don Green. Don grew up in Cape Town, South Africa and spent many a holiday in game parks surrounded by the wonderful animals he carved for this game board. Included are 2 great 2 person African games: the well known, ancient strategy game of Mancala and on the reverse side Don's original award winning game Uthini?. This is a Swhili word meaning Pardon? (The orignal name of the game) and is translated into Hieroglyphics in Egyptian scene.

Uthini?: An old fashioned Type of Game, A Little Luck, A Little Strategy.

The first player to move all 12 stones from one end to the other wins. Luck helps but good strategy will win the game. One player uses the 12 green stones and places them in one large rectangle at the end of the board and the other player uses 12 of the assorted colors and places them at the other end. Players take turns rolling both dice and move 1 or 2 stones according to the numbers shown. Stones can be started on any one of the 3 lanes and are moved forward or a combination of forward and either left or right from one lane to another with one lane change per dice per roll, but not diagonally or backwards. Stones can be moved left on an odd number dice or right on an even number. If the final position for a move lands a stone on an opponent's it captures and sends that opponent's stone back to the start. When the maximum, of 2 stones is on a single base neither piece can be capture but these positions can be played over and are counted. To enter the opposite end base and then remove that stone from the board, players must roll the same number on the dice as there are bases left to mve. Player have to move either 1 or 2 stones the full number rolled on that dice or they forfeit the turn. an exception is made if a player has only one piece left in which case they can use the number from one dice to finish the game. Players miss a turn if they throw matching (double) dice. A player does not have to capture an apponent if the opportunity exists.

Strategy Tips: Capture an opponeent's piece if they are on your half of the board. Consider leaving a couple of pieces at the start until you have played most of your pieces. Avoid pairing all your stones close to the finish if you opponent can not capture them.

Mancala
A truly wonderful game of simple rules that is one of the world's oldest and most popular games.

Other Information on Uthini? / Mancala

Boardgame Geek - Reviews, information and user comments

You Tube Video - This is a Dream Green demonstration video for this game

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