A carved wood Awalé (Oware/Mancala-family) game board, measuring approximately 16 x 6.2 inches. The board features two rows of six deep cupped pits set into a dark-stained wood body, with a hinged lid section allowing the board to close for storage or travel. The exterior is decorated with an incised design finished in gold pigment, depicting a stylized elephant with raised trunk, a star motif, and rhythmic wave-form patterning running along the lower edge. The interior pit surfaces show a natural, unstained wood tone from wear and play.
Awalé, part of the wider Mancala family of counting/strategy games, is one of the oldest and most widely played traditional games across West Africa, historically carved from wood and played using seeds, shells, or small stones as counters. Boards like this one, combining functional gameplay with decorative surface carving, are both cultural artifacts and collectible folk art objects.
Details:
- Type: Awalé (Mancala) game board, hinged two-row form
- Material: Carved dark wood with gold-highlighted incised decoration
- Dimensions: approx. 16 x 6.2 inches
- Condition: News, Good, decorative carving intact
- Includes: Playing seeds/counters as shown