Dave L Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> A friend of mine had a sort of carved wooden tray
> of pebbles in cups in a line - you jumped the
> pebbles between holes - it was from Africa - and
> she kept beating me.
>
> The game is NE African, has a name, and comes in
> many versions. I think I have seen a website or a
> book devoted to the game.
>
> I forget what she called it?

---

Possibly Mancala?

Mancala, and its sister games of Uweso and Bao, are all related to ancient board games such as Seega (found on the roof of the Seti I Temple at Abydos),the Nabataean Game, the Royal Game of Ur, Game of 20 Squares, Quirkat, and of course, Senet (aka 30 Squares).

You should also look for a publication which describe (and includes the playing equipment) for Senet, the Royal Game of Ur, Hounds and Jackals and Mehen, published as

Finkel, I. 1997.Ancient Board Games. London: Michael O'Mara Books Ltd. [Book cover image here]

Finkel has also written additional publications on ancient games as well, including most recently:

Finkel, I. 2007. Ancient Board Games in Perspective. London: British Museum Press. [Pre-order at Amazon.] Dr. Finkel will give a lecture on this new book on July 12 at the British Museum.

HTH.

Katherine Griffis-Greenberg

Doctoral Candidate
Oriental Institute
Doctoral Programme in Oriental Studies [Egyptology]
Oxford University
Oxford, United Kingdom