Congkak(Congklak)
is a mancala game of Malay origin played in Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei,
Southern Thailand and also some parts of Sumatra and Borneo.
The
word congkak was believed originated from the old Malay ‘congak’, gives meaning
as mental calculation that was practiced in this game. It was considered that a
good player will have an advantage in collecting points to win the game when
the player calculates a few steps in advance.
·
History
The oldest mancala game that was
found in a abandoned castle of Roman Egypt and back to the 4th Century
AD. This game was likely introduced to Southeast Asia by Indian or Arab traders
in 15th century. It was spread all over Malay world through the
dealers via Malacca where at that time the trading post is very important.
Early years back then, it was thought that the game was for the king and family
residents only. But, it was spread to the general population if the kingdom
later on. Other than Malays, the Indian Peranakan also loves this traditional
game.
·
How to Play Congkak
1.
The congkak board consists of two rows of 7 holes called the 'houses'
and two bigger holes called the 'storehouse'.
2. Before the game starts the 'houses' are filled with seven congkak seeds each while the 'storehouses' are left empty.
3. Both players begin
simultaneously by scooping up all the shells in any house on their side. Each drops a shell into the next 'house' and continues clockwise
depositing one shell into every house thereafter. A player drops a shell into
his 'storehouse' each time he passes it but does not deposit any into his
opponent's 'storehouse'.
4. How the game continues, depends on where the last shell of each scoop is deposited.
·
IF THE SHELL DROPS INTO THE PLAYER'S OWN 'STOREHOUSE': The
player scoops up the shells from any of his 'houses' and distributes them in
the cups ('houses') round the board but not in his opponents's 'storehouse'.
·
IF THE SHELL DROPS
INTO A 'HOUSE' (on either side of the board) CONTAINING SHELLS: The player
scoops up all the shells in that 'house' and continues distributing them as
described above.
·
IF THE SHELL DROPS
INTO THE PLAYER'S 'HOUSE' WHICH IS WITHOUT SHELLS: The player is entitled to
collect the shells in his opponent's 'house' directly opposite his own. These
shells collected from his opponent's house together with his last shell are
deposited in his own 'storehouse'. If the opponent's 'house' opposite his own
is empty, he deposits only his last shell in his own 'storehouse'. He forfeits
his turn and stops playing. It is the opponent's turn now to distribute the
shells.
·
IF THE SHELL DROPS
INTO AN EMPTY 'HOUSE' BELONGING TO THE OPPONENT: The player forfeits his turn
and stops playing. He also forfeits his shell and leaves it in the opponent's
'house'. It is the opponent's turn now to distribute the shells.
5. The
first round ends when a player has no more shells on his side.
6. Play resumes in the second round with
players redistributing shells from their own 'storehouse' to their own 'houses'. Beginning from left to right, seven shells are placed in each 'house'. If
a player does not have sufficient shells to fill his own 'houses', the
remaining cups are left empty and are considered 'burnt'. The leftover shells
are deposited into his own 'storehouse.' The opponent deposits excess shells he
has won into his own 'storehouse'
7. The loser gets to start the second round. Play is continued as before but players will bypass 'burnt houses' for instance no shells are to be dropped into these houses. If a shell is accidentally dropped into a 'burnt house', it is confiscated and stored in the opponent's 'storehouse'.
8. Play continues until one
player loses all his 'houses' or concedes defeat.
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