Oware, the National Game of Ghana, is perhaps the most widespread game in the mancala family of games.

Reflecting traditional African values, players of Oware encourage participation by onlookers, making it perhaps the most social two-player abstract game. Games may provide a focus for entertainment and meeting others. The game, or variations of it, also had an important role in education, teaching maths to African children.

This Fair Trade product is produced by Delata-Ghana. Delata Ghana is member of National Association of Ghanaian Exporters (NAHE), Aid To Artisans Ghana (ATAG) and a partner for Fair Trade and Rural Crafts Development.

Time magazine (June 14 1963) tells us of the ancient origin of these games and how widespread it was.

'Carved on a vast block of rock in the ancient Syrian city of Aleppo are two facing ranks of six shallow pits with larger hollows scooped out at each end. The same design is carved on columns of the temple at Karnak in Egypt, and it appears in the early tomb paintings in the valley of the Nile. It is carved in the Theseum in Athens, and in rock ledges along caravan routes of the ancient world.

Ghana Craftsman at work, Delata-Ghana

Ages 10 to adult.

Approx 40cm by 8cm. Game includes native seeds or glass stones.

Colours and designs may vary.

Download the Rules to your left!

Small parts. Hazardous. Not for children under 3.

The Meaning of the Symbols

The game includes traditional hand etched symbols of Ashanti culture. Pictured is the "Gye Nyame" which means,

"Abode santann yi firi tete; obi nte ase a onim ne ahyease, na obi ntena ase nkosi ne awie, Gye Nyame."

And translates as,

"This great panorama of creation dates back to time immemorial; no one lives who saw its beginning and no one will live to see its end, except God."