The History of Mancala

By Jordan

Since it ever formed, Mancala was considered a game of status in ancient African royalty. Kings of Ancient Africa, such as King Shamba Bolongongo, who was the ruler over the Kuba people. The Ugandan Royalty and The Kenyan Royalty are significant part of mancala ’s history.

Several centuries ago, Ugandan kings were required to pick seeds from a certain tree before they took the throne. These seeds, described in paragraph one, are used as the playing pieces for mancala games played in the royal court. The king’s skill at playing mancala was of great significance. If he played mancala well, which was taken as a sign that, as a ruler, his people wouldn’t fool him.

Ugandan men and women rarely play, unlike ancient Ugandan men and women, who played at least once a week. The game is still considered a man’s game. Winning a game of mancala brings honor and fame to his family and entire village and sometimes he’s even celebrated by having a song written about him and his victory.
In a different way, Zaire is the keeper of a significant part of mancala history. Almost four centuries ago, the King of Kenya and the ruler of the Kuba Tribe (King Shamba Bolongongo), wanted his fierce warriors to stop fighting other villages and start making their own village better.
The largest ethnic group in Kenya is the Kikuyu Tribe. They were extraordinary farmers.
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