Morabaraba

Morabaraba

Morabaraba gameboard. Pieces move from intersection to intersection along marked lines.
Genre(s)	Board game Abstract strategy game
Players	2
Setup time	< 1 minute
Playing time	< 1 hour
Random chance	None
Skill(s) required	Strategy, tactics
Synonym(s)	Mlabalaba, Mmela [in Setswana] Muravava, Umlabalaba Mororova

Morabaraba is a traditional two-player strategy board game played in South Africa, Botswana and Lesotho. The game is also known as Mlabalaba, Mmela (in Setswana), Muravava, Umlabalaba. The game is similar to Twelve Men's Morris, a variation on the Roman board game Nine Men's Morris.

While some believe that Morabaraba was introduced to southern Africa by British settlers, Morris variants exist in many parts of the world; e.g. India (Char Bhar), Ghana (Achi), Kenya (Shisimia), Somalia (Shax), Zimbabwe (Tsoro Yemutwelve), the Philippines (Tapatan) and Mongolia (Gurgaldaj). It is claimed that Morabaraba boards carved in rock are dated to be at least 800 years old, which would exclude a European origin. However, many rock art images do not actually show Morabaraba, but the mancala game of Moruba (i.e. rows of cupules).

Morabaraba is today most popular amongst rural African youth in southern Africa. In South Africa it is also commonly known by the Xhosa form of the name Umlabalaba. In the traditional European game the counters are commonly referred to as "men", but in the South African game the counters are referred to as "cows", the game being particularly popular amongst youth who herd cattle.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the term "Morabaraba" is derived from the Southern Sotho moraba-raba, meaning "mill" or to "go round in a circle".

Morabaraba is accessible and easy to learn, and games can be played quickly, but the strategic and tactical aspects of the game run deep. While Morabaraba may be played on specially produced boards (or computer software), it is simple enough that a board can easily be scratched on a stone or into sand, with coins or pebbles (or whatever comes to hand) used as the pieces. The description below is compatible with Mind Sports South Africa's "Generally Accepted Rules".

There are three main phases to the game:

Currently the International Wargames Federation is the international controlling body for the game, and Mind Sports South Africa is the South African controlling body for the game. Mind Sports South Africa is recognised by both the South African Department of Sports and Recreation and the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) .