Bao
Free online mancala game · Play the computer · No sign-up
Bao in a nutshell
Bao is a two-player mancala game from East Africa, played on a board of four rows of eight pits. You sow seeds around your own two rows and capture from your opponent's front row, then sow the captured seeds back into play. You win by emptying your opponent's front row or leaving them with no move.
- Know your rows. Each player owns the two rows nearest them. The inner row, facing your opponent, is your front row.
- Set out the seeds. In the learner's game, put 2 seeds in every pit. The full game starts differently, with most seeds held in hand.
- Sow round your side. Pick up the seeds from one of your pits with at least 2 seeds. Sow them one by one, clockwise or anticlockwise, around your own 16 pits.
- Capture from the front. If your last seed lands in an occupied pit in your front row, and the pit facing it has seeds, you capture them.
At a glance
- Players
- 2 players each owns two rows
- Length
- 15 to 40 minutes per game
- Equipment
- 32 pits, 64 seeds 4 rows of 8
- Learn it in
- 15 minutes a game for a lifetime
Bao questions
What is the difference between Bao la Kiswahili and Bao la Kujifunza?
Bao la Kiswahili is the full game, where players start with most of their seeds in hand and add them one at a time before the main game begins. Bao la Kujifunza, the learner's game, starts with seeds already on the board and skips that opening stage.
What is the nyumba in Bao?
The nyumba, or house, is a special square pit in each player's front row. In the full game it has extra rules and can hold a large store of seeds early on.
Is Bao a mancala game?
Yes. Bao is one of the four-row mancala games, and it is often thought of as one of the most complex in the family.
Can I capture from my opponent's back row?
No. Only the seeds in your opponent's front row can be captured.
Can I choose which way to sow?
Yes. You may usually sow clockwise or anticlockwise, but in many situations the rules fix the direction once a capture has been made.
More free African games
OwareSow seeds around the board and capture to win. Also played as Ayo and Awalé.
MorabarabaLine up three cows to capture, from Southern Africa.
FanoronaCapture by approach and withdrawal, from Madagascar.
DaraMake rows of three in the sand, from West Africa.
SenetRace across the board, from ancient Egypt.
LusonaPlace mirrors to make one unbroken line, inspired by Angolan sand drawings.