Kiothi

Kiothi is a traditional mancala game played by the Meru people of Kenya. Its name means to place, describing the core seed sowing mechanic at the heart of play. The game is closely related to Enkeshui, played by the Maasai, and Giuthi, played by the Kikuyu and Embu peoples, all variants of the same East African mancala family adapted to local rule and naming conventions. Kiothi is played on a two row by ten pit board by two players, each starting with thirty seeds and placing six seeds into each of the five pits nearest themselves. Play proceeds by relay sowing seeds counterclockwise around the board under specific capture rules, and the game ends when no further move is possible, with victory going to whoever has captured the most seeds.