The game of Bao

Two men playing this ancient game in Slipway north of Dar es Salaam.

It’s easy to think everyone in Africa is worried about the economic crisis which we in the developed countries report on a great deal but many here in Tanzania haven’t even heard of the phrase and when asked how business is they’ll simply say it’s ok. Putting on a brave face perhaps or has the crisis yet to hit Africa?

These two guys were playing Bao at a market just outside Dar es Salaam. It looks impenetrable but from an old chap nearby where I’m staying I’ve just received a much-photocopied piece of paper dated 1971 from the National Museum of Tanzania. It’s called ‘How to play Bao’ and is written in perfect English.

Problem is I’m still none the wiser.

I’ll perservere and if I can fathom what’s going on I’ll post my thoughts here. Till then, it’s kind of therapeutic just watching them while away the afternoon with the kete (the stones) and the mashimo (holes).