A traditional Congkak set is a classic Southeast Asian mancala game, commonly played in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Brunei. The set typically consists of:
🪵 The Board – Usually made of wood, the Congkak board is a long, boat-shaped plank with two rows of small circular holes (usually 7 per row) and two larger holes at each end, known as "home" or "store" pits.
🌰 The Seeds/Marbles – Traditionally, players use tamarind seeds, but modern sets may include marbles, beads, or plastic tokens. Each small hole starts with an equal number of seeds.
🎲 Gameplay – Two players take turns picking up seeds from a hole and distributing them counterclockwise, aiming to collect as many as possible in their store pit while strategizing against their opponent.
A Congkak set beautifully reflects the rich cultural heritage of the region and is often handcrafted with intricate carvings or designs, making it both a game and a decorative piece.
HOW TO PLAY
Congkak is a traditional board game that is popular in Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. It's a game of strategy and involves two players. Here’s how to play the traditional Congkak set:
Equipment:
- Congkak board: A wooden board with two rows of 7 small holes (pits) each, and two larger pits (one for each player) at either end of the board. These larger pits are called "home" or "store".
- Seeds or pebbles: There are usually 98 small seeds or stones used (7 in each of the 14 smaller holes).
Setup:
- Each player sits across from one another. One player controls the row of holes closest to them, and the other player controls the row of holes on the opposite side.
- Place 7 seeds in each of the 14 smaller pits (not the home pits).
- The home pits are empty at the start of the game.
Rules and Gameplay:
- Choosing the first player: Players decide who will go first, either by mutual agreement or by a random method (like rolling a die).
- Taking a turn: The player picks up all the seeds from one of the pits on their side. They then "sow" the seeds one by one in the following pits, moving in a counterclockwise direction. If they reach their home pit, they drop a seed into it.
- Capturing seeds: If the last seed of a player's sowing lands in a pit on their side that contains 2 or 3 seeds, the player captures those seeds and places them in their home pit.
- The game continues: Players continue taking turns until one side has no seeds left in any of their pits.
Special Rules:
- If a player lands in their home pit after a full round of sowing, they get another turn.
- A player can only sow from a pit that contains seeds.
- If a player’s move allows them to capture seeds from multiple pits, they do so.
Ending the game:
The game ends when one player has no seeds left in their row of pits. The other player then gets the remaining seeds on their turn, which are placed in their home pit. The winner is the player who has the most seeds in their home pit at the end of the game.
Congkak is a game of strategy and planning, where players try to control the game by capturing their opponent’s seeds while protecting their own.
Size of the board: 60×15.5×3.5cm
Material: Plastic
