Spanning many countries, the Sahara offers us games from Mauritania to Egypt.
As a route for the expansion of Islam towards Europe, and a passage for multiple trade routes from Central Africa (salt, slaves), this region was enriched by games brought by various cultures: Arab, of course, European (particularly card games), and sub-Saharan African with sowing games.
Its nomadic peoples allowed many traditional games to spread across the countries sharing this desert, while maintaining a strong homogeneity in their rules and practices.
Discover some thirty richly illustrated games, accompanied by their history and rules:
- Historical games from ancient Egypt: Senet, Mehen, 58 holes, Men...
- Other historical games: Al-Qirq, Shatranj...
- Sand games: Dara, Zamma, Krur, Sïg, Khargba...
- Café and street games: Chkobba, Tawla, Dominoes, Ludo, Basra, Touti...
- Skill games: Hoop, Top, Knucklebones, Apricot Kernels...
