List of traditional games in Africa

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There is a wide variety of traditional games in Africa. They include variations of foot-racing, jumping, stick-fighting, dancing, moonlight and ritual plays, swimming, horse racing, and wrestling, as well as board games and gambling games.

Contents

Background and types

In the precolonial period, participants in physical sports could gain status, identity, and power. Some types include foot-racing, jumping, stick-fighting, dancing, moonlight and ritual plays, swimming, horse-racing, and wrestling. [1] In the latter, participants would often represent their village or region, training from a young age for the big community events. [2] [3] Physical skill has traditionally been associated with hunting, pastoral work, food gathering, and warriors. In some parts of the continent sport was taken very seriously, [3] in others less so, for instance in Setswana the closest match means "play that is not serious". [4] Canoe racing was common along the Ubangi River in Central Africa, and warriors engaged in archery, spear throwing, and cattle racing. [3] Sport was traditionally masculine, and largely excluded women, except in dance, and in some cases wrestling. [5] [6] : 41  However many traditional games have been poorly documented and lost. [7]

Gambling was widespread and often played at high stakes, where games were interpreted within the relevant cosmologies. Regions where it was especially popular were the Guinea coast and Central Africa, however it was usually stigmatised. [6] : 47–8 

Colonial governments viewed the expansion of European sports as key to their "civilising mission", and many traditional games died out. Colonial education systems formalised the teaching of Western sports, thought to instil "moral character", while traditional sports were viewed as "primitive, immoral, and anti-Christian". [8] [7] In some cases, mission schools promoted traditional games that had close European counterparts. The Tutsi high-jumping contest gusimbuka was revered by colonists. [3] Gambling games such as abbia in Cameroon were suppressed. [6] : 50 

In the postcolonial period, Western sports have been heavily prioritised over traditional sports. [3] Physical education in the present-day remains largely based on the colonial/Western model, and traditional sports aren't usually included in the curriculum. There are also no traditional sports in the African Games. [7] The African Traditional Sports and Games Confederation (ATSGC), a branch of the International Council of Traditional Sports and Games (ICTSG), seeks to protect Africa's traditional games, and the first African Traditional Sports and Games is scheduled to be held in Swakopmund, Namibia for June 2026. [9] [10]

Physical games

This article contains dynamic lists that may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by editing the page to add missing items, with references to reliable sources.

North Africa

NameTypeGroup (country)Sources
Hyena chase Foot-racing North Africa [11]
Tahtib Stick-fighting Egypt [12]

West Africa

NameTypeGroup (country)Sources
Gidigbo Wrestling Yoruba people (Nigeria) [3]
Lucha canaria Wrestling Guanches and Canarians (Canary Islands, Spain) [3]
Dambe Wrestling Hausa people (Nigeria) [3]
Asafo atwele Martial art Ga people (Ghana) [13]
Pilolo Children's game Ghana [14]
Senegalese wrestling Wrestling Senegal [15]

Central Africa

NameTypeGroup (country)Sources
Bulundu Ball game Luba people (DR Congo) [16] : 26–29 
Kandeka Martial art Angola [17] : 30 
N'golo Martial art Angola [18]
Kuli Ball game Tio people (Republic of Congo) [19] : 164 

East Africa

NameTypeGroup (country)Sources
Fire on the Mountain Children's game Tanzania [20]
Gusimbuka High jumping Tutsi (Rwanda and Burundi) [3]
Moraingy Martial art Madagascar [3]
Nuba wrestling Wrestling Nuba people (Sudan) [21]
Donga Stick fighting Surma people (Ethiopia) [21]
Kigumi Stick fighting Meru people (Kenya) [22] : 16 
Istunka Ceremonial martial art Somalia [23]
Savika Zebu-wrestling Betsileo people (Madagscar) [24]

Southern Africa

NameTypeGroup (country)Sources
Nguni stick-fighting Stick fighting Nguni peoples (South Africa) [25]
Tshikanganga and Tshigombela Team dances Venda people (South Africa) [6] : 14 
Musangwe Fist-fighting Venda people (South Africa) [26]
Jukskei Afrikaners (South Africa) [27]

Non-physical games

This article contains dynamic lists that may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by editing the page to add missing items, with references to reliable sources.

Mancala has been played across the continent, and has many different names and versions, such that it has been called "the national game of Africa". [22] : 17 

North Africa

NameTypeGroup (country)Sources
Hounds and jackals Ancient Egypt [28] [29]
Felli Morocco [30] [31]
Fetaix Morocco [32]
Kharbaga Abstract strategy gameNorth Africa [33] [34]
Mehen Board game Ancient Egypt [35]
Senet Board game Ancient Egypt [36]
Tâb Running-fight game North Africa [37]

West Africa

NameTypeGroup (country)Sources
Achi Abstract strategy game Ghana [38] [39]
Choko Mandinka and Fula peoples (The Gambia) [40] [41]
Dara Various peoples and countries in West Africa [42] [43]
Wali Board gameWest Africa [44]
Yoté Board gameWest Africa [45]
Zamma Abstract strategy game Mauritania [46]

Central Africa

NameTypeGroup (country)Sources
Abbia Gambling game Beti people (Cameroon) [47]

East Africa

NameTypeGroup (country)Sources
Fanorona Madagascar [48] [49]
Carambolla Gambling game Ethiopia [50]
Makonn Abstract strategy game Seychelles [51]
Shisima Abstract strategy game Kenya [52] [53]
Turup Card game Somalia [54]

Southern Africa

NameTypeGroup (country)Sources
Morabaraba Strategy board game South Africa and Botswana [21]
Fahfee Gambling game South Africa [50]
Tsoro yematatu Abstract strategy game Zimbabwe [55]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Otinwa, G. O. (2012). "African Perspectives on Physical Education and Sports". Global Journal of Health and Physical Education Pedagogy. 1 (1).
  2. ↑ Sikes, Michelle (2019). "Sport and Politics in Africa". Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Politics. Oxford University Press.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Sikes, Michelle (2018). "Sport History and Historiography". Oxford Research Encyclopedia of African History. Oxford University Press.
  4. ↑ Gahwiler, Clinton; Hill, Lee; Grand'Maison, Valerie (2019). "History of Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology in Southern Africa". Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Psychology. Oxford University Press.
  5. ↑ Akyeampong, Emmanuel; Ambler, Charles (2002). "Leisure in African History: An Introduction" . The International Journal of African Historical Studies. 35 (1): 1–16. doi:10.2307/3097363. ISSN   0361-7882. JSTOR   3097363. PMID   17494229.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Baker, William J. (William Joseph); Mangan, J. A. (1987). Sport in Africa : essays in social history. Internet Archive. New York : Africana Pub. Co. ISBN   978-0-8419-0906-9.
  7. 1 2 3 Amusa, L. O.; Toriola, A. L. (2010). "The changing phases of Physical Education and sport in Africa : can a uniquely African model emerge? : physical education". African Journal for Physical Health Education, Recreation and Dance. 16 (4): 666–680. hdl:10520/EJC19656.
  8. ↑ Amusa, Lateef O.; Toriola, A. L. (2012). "Professionalisation of Physical Education and Sport Science in Africa". African Journal for Physical Health Education, Recreation and Dance. 18 (3): 628–642. hdl:10520/EJC126005.
  9. ↑ "African Traditional Sports and Games Confederation – AFRICA TSG" . Retrieved 2025-08-22.
  10. ↑ Sharma, Aman Kumar (2024-09-03). "African Traditional Sports and Games Multi-Event Set for 2026". The Sports Column | Sports Articles, Analysis, News and Media. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
  11. ↑ Bell, R. C. (1969). Board and Table Games From Many Civilizations. Vol. I. 2nd ed.
  12. ↑ "Le tahtib, un Art martial égyptien pluri millénaire vivant". Egyptos.
  13. ↑ Dunzendorfer, Jan (2014-07-24). "Ethnicized boxing: the tale of Ghana's boxing roots in local martial art" . Sport in Society. 17 (8): 1015–1029. doi:10.1080/17430437.2013.838350. ISSN   1743-0437.
  14. ↑ "From Ampe to Pilolo: The games that brought our Ghanaian childhood to life". GhanaRemembers. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
  15. ↑ "Senegal: Wrestling with Reality" . Retrieved 2019-07-10– via Aljazeera World.
  16. ↑ Reefe, Thomas Q. (2022-08-19). The Rainbow and the Kings: A History of the Luba Empire to 1891. Univ of California Press. ISBN   978-0-520-33490-8.
  17. ↑ Desch-Obi, M. Thomas J. (2008). Fighting for Honor: The History of African Martial Art Traditions in the Atlantic World. Univ of South Carolina Press. ISBN   978-1-57003-718-4.
  18. ↑ The documentary Jogo de Corpo. Capoeira e Ancestralidade (2013) by Matthias Assunção and Mestre Cobra Mansa provides insights into this development.
  19. ↑ Vansina, Jan (1973). "The Economics of Subsistence: Domestic Life". The Tio kingdom of the Middle Congo, 1880-1892. Internet Archive. London, New York, Oxford University Press for the International African Institute. ISBN   978-0-19-724189-9.
  20. ↑ Aycox, Frank (1985). Games We Should Play in School: A Revealing Analysis of the Social Forces in the Classroom and what to Do about Them : a Proven Social Skills Curriculum that Includes Over 75 Interactive, Fun Social Games. Front Row Experience. ISBN   978-0-915256-16-7.
  21. 1 2 3 "African Games | Traditional African Games". african-volunteer.net. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
  22. 1 2 Wanderi, Mwangi (2011). The Indigenous Games of the People of the Coastal Region of Kenya: A cultural and educational appraisal. Organisation for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa. ISBN   978-99944-55-56-0.
  23. ↑ Wasaaradda Warfaafinta iyo Hanuuninta Dadweynaha (1974). Somali Culture and Folklore. Ministry of Information and National Guidance. pp. 29–30.
  24. ↑ Combeau-Mari, Evelyne (2011-08-01). "Traditional Fighting Practices: The Root and Expression of Malagasy Culture" . The International Journal of the History of Sport. 28 (12): 1566–1585. doi:10.1080/09523367.2011.592749. ISSN   0952-3367.
  25. ↑ "Nguni Stick Fighting". South African History Online | www.sahistory.org.za. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  26. ↑ Wende, Hamilton (5 February 2011). "South African boxing that 'makes the heart strong'". BBC . Retrieved 2011-02-06.
  27. ↑ Pétanque SA - Jukskei Archived 2006-09-24 at the Wayback Machine
  28. ↑ Tatas, Markos. "Hounds and Jackals - ancientgames.org" . Retrieved 2024-12-18.
  29. ↑ Tom Metcalfe (2018-12-10). "16 of the Most Interesting Ancient Board and Dice Games". livescience.com. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
  30. ↑ "Felli". BoardGameGeek. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  31. ↑ "Felli | Cyningstan". www.cyningstan.com. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  32. ↑ "Wiki - manqala.org - Llibret /Alquerc". 2012-02-13. Archived from the original on 13 February 2012. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
  33. ↑ "Kharbaga". BoardGameGeek. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
  34. ↑ "Kharbaga – Board Game Guys" . Retrieved 2025-08-22.
  35. ↑ Crist, Walter; et al. (2016). Ancient Egyptians at Play: Board Games Across Borders. London: Bloomsbury. pp. 15–38. ISBN   978-1-4742-2117-7.
  36. ↑ Crist, Walter (2019-06-01). "Passing from the Middle to the New Kingdom: A Senet Board in the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum". The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology. 105 (1): 107–113. doi:10.1177/0307513319896288. ISSN   0307-5133.
  37. ↑ "Tâb". BoardGameGeek. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
  38. ↑ "How to play - Achi". bead.game. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  39. ↑ "Achi". BoardGameGeek. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  40. ↑ "Choko: A Traditional Gambian Board Game – Footsteps Eco-Lodge". footstepsinthegambia.com. 2023-10-07. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  41. ↑ "How to play - Choko". bead.game. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  42. ↑ Erica (2016-05-10). "Dara Game: Nigerian 3 in a Row with a Twist". What Do We Do All Day. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  43. ↑ "Dara". BoardGameGeek. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  44. ↑ "Wali". BoardGameGeek. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
  45. ↑ "Games of Soldiers - YOTE". jpneto.github.io. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
  46. ↑ Bell, R. C. (1983). "Zamma". The Boardgame Book . Exeter Books. pp. 148–49. ISBN   978-0-671-06030-5.
  47. ↑ Quinn, Frederick (Summer 1971). "Abbia Stones" . African Arts. 4 (4): 30–32. doi:10.2307/3345877. JSTOR   3345877 . Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  48. ↑ "Fanorona". BoardGameGeek. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  49. ↑ "How to play Fanorona | Official Rules | UltraBoardGames". www.ultraboardgames.com. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  50. 1 2 Bitanihirwe, Byron K. Y.; Adebisi, Tunde; Bunn, Christopher; Ssewanyana, Derrick; Darby, Paul; Kitchin, Paul (2022). "Gambling in Sub-Saharan Africa: Traditional Forms and Emerging Technologies". Current Addiction Reports. 9 (4): 373–384. doi:10.1007/s40429-022-00449-0. ISSN   2196-2952. PMC   9595076 . PMID   36312763.
  51. ↑ "Ludii Portal". ludii.games. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
  52. ↑ OnlineSoloGames.com. "Play Shisima (3-in-a-Row) Online". Online Solo Games. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
  53. ↑ "Shisima Strategy Game of Kenya Africa". NewVenture Games LLC. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
  54. ↑ "Arba'a Turup - card game rules". www.pagat.com. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
  55. ↑ "Board and Pieces - Tsoro Yematatu". sites.google.com. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
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