Rwandan Traditional Games
Primary 4 · Physical Education
Rwandan Traditional Games
Lesson 2 of 3
25 min
Let's begin
Grandfather drops seeds into the holes so fast that Ishimwe cannot follow. "How do you know where to stop?" Ishimwe asks.
"I count in my head," Grandfather laughs. "Only beginners count with their finger!" In this lesson you will learn how igisoro works and train your own counting brain.
Igisoro is one of Rwanda's oldest games. It belongs to a big family of seed-and-hole games played across Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.
On your turn, pick up all the seeds from one of your holes. Drop them one by one into the next holes, going round your own two rows. This is called sowing. Your seeds never cross to your friend's side; they go round and round your 16 holes.
Good players know where the last seed will land before they pick up the seeds. Use the numbers on the board above.
Example 1: You pick up 5 seeds from hole 3. They go into holes 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. The last seed lands in hole 8. Quick way: 3 + 5 = 8.
Example 2: You pick up 6 seeds from hole 14. They go into holes 15, 16, then round the corner into 1, 2, 3 and 4. The last seed lands in hole 4. Quick way: 14 + 6 = 20, and there are only 16 holes, so 20 − 16 = 4.
The full igisoro rules for capturing are clever, and they change a little from place to place, so learn them from an elder who plays. To train your counting first, play this practice game with a friend:
No board at home? Draw 4 rows of 8 circles in the soil, or use two egg trays side by side, with beans or small stones for seeds.
Tip
Count on, and wrap round after 16. Add the seeds to your hole number. If the answer is more than 16, take away 16 to find where you land.
Use the numbered board. Think about each one first, then tap Show answer to check.
How many holes does an igisoro board have?
Answer: 32, because 4 rows × 8 holes = 32.
The game uses 64 seeds. How many does each player start with?
Answer: 32, because 64 ÷ 2 = 32.
You pick up 4 seeds from hole 2. Where does your last seed land?
Answer: Hole 6. The seeds go into holes 3, 4, 5 and 6.
You pick up 5 seeds from hole 14. Where does your last seed land?
Answer: Hole 3. The seeds go into 15, 16, 1, 2 and 3. Check: 14 + 5 = 19, and 19 − 16 = 3.
Why do skilled players count in their heads and not with a finger?
Answer: Counting in your head is faster, and it keeps your plan secret from the other player.
What you learned today
Sources and credits
The story, the numbered board diagram, the worked examples, the counting challenge and the practice were written by Ganzaa.
This lesson adapts CC BY-SA material and is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Quick check
