CONGKAK

History/Origin
Congkak or Congklak is a mancala game of Malay origin played in Malaysia.
Congkak is believed to originate from the word congak which in old Malay Language
means mental calculation, which is mainly practiced in this game. It is regarded that an
efficient player who mentally calculates a few steps in advance will have an advantage
in collecting points to win the game. It is believed that the game originated in Malacca
Kingdom where it became very popular and spread to the South East Asia region. This
spread was due to the many travelers who visited the kingdom because it was a trading
city. In the early days it is thought that this game was for the king and family and the
palace residents, however later it spread to the general population of the kingdom. As
the congkak board is shaped like a boat it is believed that it is based on the legend of a
fisherman unable to go to the sea during rainy season who lost his income during this
time. To prevent boredom he created this game which is similar to his boat. This game is
also played in other Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines
where it is known as "Sungka".

Description of the game

The game comprises a congkak board which is a block of wood carved with two large
holes called the homes at both ends. Each congkak has two parallel rows of 8 or 10 holes,
each recess containing 8 or 10 seeds or marbles. The end of the carved board has a
receptacle referred to as 'rumah' or house.
The aim is to get rid of all the seeds on your side by moving them across over your
'enemy' while placing each seed or marble into your own house as you pass. The last seed
to be deposited continues by scooping up the remaining seeds in the hole until it lands in
an empty one whereby the other player starts his turn. The game ends with the winner
either the one with the most seeds in his house or the first to empty his row of holes.
Two players are needed in this game in which they fill up the holes with either pebbles,
marbles or rubber seeds. All winnings are placed in the homes and the player who
collects the most seeds becomes the winner.
Playing area
Congkak is usually played indoors as a sit-down game.
Equipment/tools
It consists of a wooden board with two rows of five, seven, or nine holes and two large
holes at both ends called "home". Congkak, played with shells, pebbles or tamarind
seeds, requires two players.
How to play the game/rules
Before the game starts the 'houses' are filled with seven congkak seeds each while
the 'storehouses' are left empty.
Both players begin simultaneously by scooping up all the shells in any house on their
side. Each drops a shell into the next 'house' and continues clockwise depositing one
shell into every house thereafter. A player drops a shell into his 'storehouse' each time he
passes it but does not deposit any into his opponent's 'storehouse'
How the game continues, depends on where the last shell of each scoop is
deposited.

IF THE SHELL DROPS INTO THE PLAYER'S OWN 'STOREHOUSE': The

player scoops up the shells from any of his 'houses' and distributes them in the
cups ('houses') round the board but not in his opponents 'storehouse'.
IF THE SHELL DROPS INTO A 'HOUSE' (on either side of the board)
CONTAINING SHELLS: The player scoops up all the shells in that 'house' and
continues distributing them as described above.
IF THE SHELL DROPS INTO THE PLAYER'S 'HOUSE' WHICH IS WITHOUT
SHELLS: The player is entitled to collect the shells in his opponent's 'house'
directly opposite his own. These shells collected from his opponent's house
together with his last shell are deposited in his own 'storehouse'. If the opponent's
'house' opposite his own is empty, he deposits only his last shell in his own
'storehouse'. He forfeits his turn and stops playing. It is the opponent's turn now
to distribute the shells.
IF THE SHELL DROPS INTO AN EMPTY 'HOUSE' BELONGING TO THE
OPPONENT: The player forfeits his turn and stops playing. He also forfeits his
shell and leaves it in the opponent's 'house'. It is the opponent's turn now to
distribute the shells.

The first round ends when a player has no more shells on his side.
Play resumes in the second round with players redistributing shells from their own
'storehouse' to their own 'houses'. Beginning from left to right, seven shells are placed
in each 'house'. If a player does not have sufficient shells to fill his own 'houses', the
remaining cups are left empty and are considered 'burnt'. The leftover shells are
deposited into his own 'storehouse.' The opponent deposits excess shells he has won
into his own 'storehouse'.
The loser gets to start the second round. Play is continued as before but players will
bypass 'burnt houses' for instance no shells are to be dropped into these houses. If a shell
is accidentally dropped into a 'burnt house', it is confiscated and stored in the opponent's
'storehouse'.
Play continues until one player loses all his 'houses' or concedes defeat.
Skills needed
The game involves skill and mental alertness and in cases where the players are both
skillful, the game would take several hours to finish.
Values
Congkak provides enjoyment and strategic values for the players.