8 Interesting Traditional Kenyan Games & More

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Traditional Kenyan Games #1: Board Games (Bao)

Bao is an ancient mancala board game played by the Swahili community in Kenya and Tanzania.

Bao is the Swahili word for board or board game.

A person who masters bao well is referred to as bingwa (master) or fundi (technician).

Bao is still popular today at the Kenyan coast, especially in Lamu, where bao tournaments are held regularly.

These bao tournaments may not be popular enough to get listed on platforms such as Betway, but they attract considerable attention.

Bao usually attracts scholars because of the strategic and complex thinking required to win the game.

Scholars of disciplines such as psychology, complexity theory, and game theory are fascinated by bao.

Kenyan communities, other than the Swahili, also have their own versions of bao, including the Turkana, Luhya, Luo, and Samburu.

Traditional Kenyan Games: Men playing Bao in Lamu

Traditional Kenyan Games #2: Wrestling (Enyameni, Ndikano)

A number of communities in Kenya practice traditional wrestling, including the Abagusii where it is known as enyameni and the Ameru where it is called ndikano.

Generally, these games feature two strong men, each preferably married, aged between 25 and 45 years.

These men battle it out in an open field with a charged crowd cheering them on.

Winning the game requires a combination of both strength and strategy. He who fells his opponent is declared the winner.

These traditional forms of wrestling risk losing their significance as people shift their interest towards foreign forms of wrestling.

Indigenous Kenyan Games #3: Stick Fights

You will find some sort of stick fighting among several different communities in Kenya, especially herding ones.

Stick fighting Pokot Kenya — Two Pokot boys stick fighting

The sport is also very popular in Lamu on the Kenyan coast.

If you visit Lamu, you will often find crowds enjoying a stick fight at the waterfront.

This form of stick fighting is believed to have originated from Oman, which has historical ties with Lamu that stretch back more than a century.

Kenya has a rich tradition of indigenous games that have been played for generations, particularly among different ethnic communities.

Many of these games served as both entertainment and a way to teach children important life skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and physical fitness.

Here are some notable traditional games from Kenya:

Kenya Traditional Games #4: Duf Mpararo

A jumping game similar to hopscotch, played mostly by children.
Players draw a grid on the ground and jump through designated sections.
Helps develop balance, coordination, and agility.

5. Kati (Dodgeball)

Played with a ball (often made from rolled-up socks or banana leaves).
Players try to hit others with the ball while avoiding being hit themselves.
Encourages speed, agility, and teamwork.

6. Nyama Nyama (Animal, Animal)

A game of quick thinking and reflexes.
One player calls out “Nyama nyama” (Swahili for “meat, meat”), followed by the name of an animal.
Players must quickly decide if the animal is one that people eat—if yes, they respond accordingly; if no, they remain silent.

7. Brikicho (Hide and Seek)

A popular children’s game similar to hide-and-seek.
One player counts while others hide, then searches for them.
Encourages stealth, patience, and observation skills.

8. Mbube, Mbube (Lion, Lion)

A group game where one blindfolded player (the “lion”) tries to catch another player (the “goat”).

Traditional Games in Tanzania

Traditional games in Tanzania are a vibrant reflection of the country’s rich cultural heritage, fostering community, creativity, and social cohesion.

These games, often passed down through generations, are integral to Tanzanian life, especially in rural areas.

Here’s an overview of some notable traditional games:

Bao Games

Like in Kenya, Bao is a classic mancala-style board game deeply rooted in Swahili culture.

Played predominantly in Zanzibar and coastal Tanzania, it involves strategic sowing and capturing of seeds across a wooden board. There are two main versions:

Bao la Kiswahili: The more complex, traditional version.
Bao la Kujifunza: A simplified variant for beginners.

The game is highly respected, with official tournaments held in Tanzania, Zanzibar, and Kenya. A skilled player is known as a “bao master” or bingwa.

Traditional Wrestling and Archery

Traditional wrestling is a popular sport among Tanzanian youth, emphasizing strength, agility, and cultural pride.