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Evidence for Shah
1 pieces of evidence found.
Id DLP.Evidence.1529
Type Ethnography
Location Somaliland
Date 1931-01-01 - 1931-12-31
Rules Three concentric circles, with the midpoints of their sides connected with lines. Twelve pieces per player. Players take turns placing one of their pieces on an empty point on the board. The first player to make three in a row obtains the privilege of starting the next phase after all of the stones are placed; if no one makes three in a row the last player to place a stone begins the next phase. Ones all of the stones are placed, the player who has the right to begin the next phase removes any one of the opponent's stones, and the opponent does the same with one of the player's pieces. Then, players alternate turns moving one of their pieces to an empty adjacent space. When a player place three of their pieces in a row, they remove one of the opponent's pieces. If a player moves in such a way that the opponent cannot move, the player must make an extra move to allow the opponent a place to play. A player cannot capture an opponent's piece when this extra move is made. The player who captures all but two of the opponent's pieces wins. Games are usually played in sequence, starting with the winner of the previous game, with the first player to win five games in a row being the winner.
Content "Shah. This game is related to the old English "Nine Men's Morris" which was introduced into Europe by the Moors. Shah might be termed the national game of the Somali; men as well as children are passionately fond of it. Three concentric squares are drawn on the groun, their sides being connected at their middle point by perpendicular (transversal) lines. Two distinctive sets of twelve stones are used instead of two sets of nine, as in the European variety. They are placed, one at a time, by the two players alternately. During this introductory staage there is no taking of pieces, but the one who is first able to place three of his stones in a straight connected line...secures the privilege of starting the game proper. If neither player manages to do this, it is the one who has placed the last stone who begins. He first removes one of his opponent's stones at his choice, and the opponent does likewise. After this, the game becomes very similar to the old English game; the stones are shifted along the lines from one angle or intersection to a neighbouring one which is vacant, and every time a dzare is formed, it gives the right to remove any one of the opponent's stones. Should one of the players make it impossible for his opponent to move... he must make an extra move to provide an opening, and cannot avail himself of any dzare he might be making by this second move. Jumping is unknown...Each subsequent game is started by the winner of the previous one." Marin 1931: 503-504.
Confidence 100
Ages Child, Adult
Genders Male
Source Marin, G. 1931. Somali Games. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland. 61: 499-511.
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