WARRI – The most ancient of games

While games like chess’ chequered board are instantly recognised all over the globe, Warri’s wooden board with its 12 hollows containing seeds is rather less recognisable - depending on where you come from of course. Those who hail from the African continent will recognise it immediately as a type of Mancala pit-and-pebble game. Thought to be one of world’s oldest games, derived from a type of abacus used in accounting, Mancala originated in Sudan and consequently spread throughout western Africa. Naturally, the West African slaves who were brought to the Caribbean in the 17th century devised their own format of the game to play during any moment of downtime they may have been able to snatch. Although it was played in many of the islands in the region, it is now mainly concentrated in Antigua & Barbuda and Barbados, with the twin islands having probably the strongest culture of the game, including its own National Warri Association for aficionados, of which there are many.

The game is based on counting skills, with the two Warri contestants facing each other on an elongated wooden board with each of the 12 hollows containing four seeds - or “horse-nickers” as they are most commonly known - from the Guilandina tree. With the object of the game being to capture the majority of the seeds, the game’s simplicity is very deceptive with skill and strategic decision-making needed to win - just as in all the best board games the world over.

"WARRI" by Marie Kinsella

The uniqueness and cultural importance of Warri hasn’t been lost on the international community. As the younger generation’s fascination with technology means that traditional games are falling at the wayside, UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund has earmarked the game of Warri in Antigua & Barbuda as a living heritage to be protected for future generations to come.