The game of Bao
Posted by pcoletti on March 11, 2009 · 5 Comments
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).
just seen this ….
please email me ….. the “1971 from the National Museum of Tanzania. It’s called ‘How to play Bao’ and is written in perfect English ” … i would like to relearn the game !!
thanks,
stanley
lusaka
24/04/10
Could you e-mail me the instructions of this game? Because I bought the game while on vacation in Tazania and I can’t remember how to play. Thanks a lot
http://www.gamesfromeverywhere.com.au/rules/Bao_History_Rules.pdf
Check this for the rules.
Could you also send a copy of this instructions to my email? It would be very helpful as I also have a board and am trying to figure out all of the rules, thanks!
If you want to learn how to play bao, take a look at this you tube video tutorial.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPg_0Mb-BUU