Game board for the "mankala" or "serata"- game · Côte d'Ivoire, Dan · ID: 3041876
Description
wood, middle brown patina, remains of paint, 12 circular deepenings in two parallel rows, cup-like projection, handle in shape of finely carved human head, rep. (breakage cup), cracks, traces of usage;
the game is called “ma” and is mainly played by men. Dried greyish fruits are used as gaming pieces. Although ancient the game is still popular among the Dan. Great care is taken in carving these boards so that they may be handed down to future generations.
The object Game board for the “mankala” or “serata”- game with the object ID 3041876 was last part of the auction 85th Tribal Art Auction at March 4, 2017 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 178.
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Comparing literature
Johnson, Barbara C., Four Dan Sculptors, San Francisco 1987, p. 82, ill. 26