Bao in Zanzibar
We (J and I) saw, learned, and played this game in Zanzibar. This is similar to the big one we bought. Mancala is another related game that is carried in some toy stores in the US.
J has a smaller portable/travel version with her in LA. And it’s true they play this game fanatically in this area. There was a board inlaid into a table in our hotel room. We had just come from a spice tour where the local craftsman was adept at making purses, hats, and sunglasses.
Our evenings were passed playing on rather large board in the lounge. It’s a milkshake, non alcoholic, because J didn’t want anything to deter her concentration.
We even attracted an audience while we played in the airport lounge in Zanzibar. There was plenty of free advice on strategy. It was casual for J and me but, every move we made was breathlessly anticipated by our audience. Now I have to go back and refresh myself on the rules. But the memory of passing the time idly playing the game with my daughter….priceless!
photobackstory 