Eré · Yoruba

Ayọ̀

The seed board (mancala) · 8–15 min

Twelve ihò (pits), irúgbìn (seeds). Count, sow, capture. Ayọ̀ ò lẹ́jọ́ — no court for a loss. Play again.

Why. Number, patience, and the yard. The first maths many elders still remember.

1. Ìlà ìsàlẹ̀ ni tìrẹ. — The bottom row is yours.
2. Ihò kọ̀ọ̀kan ní ẹ̀rin irúgbìn ní ìbẹ̀rẹ̀. — Each pit starts with four (ẹ̀rin) seeds.
3. Tẹ ihò kan. Gbé gbogbo irúgbìn. — Tap one of your pits. Lift every seed in it.
4. Ìpele 1: sọ ọ̀kan, èjì, ẹ̀ta… bí o ṣe ń da ọ̀kan-ọ̀kan sí ọ̀tún. — Stage 1: say ọ̀kan, èjì, ẹ̀ta… as you drop one seed to the right.
5. Ìpele 2: bí ó bá pọ̀ ju ihò tìrẹ lọ, tẹ̀síwájú sí ihò ilé. — Stage 2: if seeds are still in your hand, continue onto the house row.
6. Bí ìkẹyìn bá jẹ́ èjì tàbí ẹ̀ta nínú ihò ilé, kó wọn. — If the last drop makes two or three in a house pit, gather them.
7. Ẹni tó kó ogún-mẹ́rin (24) ni yóò ṣẹ́gun. Ayọ̀ ò lẹ́jọ́. — First to twenty-four wins. No court for a loss — play again.