Ayò is a traditional Yoruba board game in the mancala family, played by two people who sow and capture seeds across a wooden board with twelve pits. It is a game of counting and planning that has been played in Yoruba homes and compounds for generations. This guide explains the board, the basic idea and why the game is worth keeping alive.
The board and seeds
- Board: a long wooden board with two rows of six pits, twelve in all.
- Seeds: usually forty-eight seeds or small stones, with four placed in each pit at the start.
- Players: two, each controlling the row of pits nearest to them.
The basic idea
On each turn a player picks up all the seeds from one of their pits and drops them one by one into the following pits. Under the rules of the game, certain endings let a player capture seeds, and the winner is the player who collects the most. Exact capturing rules differ between families and regions, so players usually agree the rules before the first move.
Part of a wider family of games
Mancala-style games are played across Africa and in other parts of the world, each with its own name and rules. Ayò is the Yoruba version and is known for rewarding patience and counting skill, which is why many families treat it as a way to teach children to think ahead.
Why it matters
Traditional games carry language, manners and humour from one generation to the next. Playing Ayò is also a good excuse to use Yoruba numbers, so try counting along with our guide to Yoruba numbers from 1 to 100. For more on family and community traditions, see our guide to the owambe and our Learn Yoruba hub.
How to start playing
- Get a board or draw two rows of six pits on paper, and gather forty-eight small seeds or stones.
- Place four seeds in each pit.
- Agree the capturing rules with your opponent before you begin.
- Take turns sowing seeds, and count carefully before you move.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ayò the same as mancala?
It belongs to the mancala family of games, but it has its own name, board style and rules.
How many seeds do you need?
Forty-eight, four per pit, on the usual twelve-pit board.
Can children play?
Yes. It is often used to build counting skills.
Photo: a wooden mancala board with seeds, the family of games that Ayò belongs to (Carolin Thiergart, Unsplash). Detailed capture rules vary by region, so this guide gives only the general idea.
