subject: Traditional Board Games In African Culture [print this page] My grandmothers house was filled with things to dust. It was a weekly ritual. Polishing things that did nothing but collect dust and break when you dropped them.
Now, I am not against pretty; everyone loves pretty. But surely pretty can also be practical. Enter African table games.
Africa is renowned for its culture and wooden furniture art. Mostly that renown is for its creation of mystical religious artefacts. At least that how it looks to the outsider. But Africa has so much more to show us - and teach us - when it come to beauty.
Africa, and in particular, Malawi, have some of the finest furniture craftsman anywhere. Their wooden dcor, mostly sold to people wealthier than themselves, is strong, solid, smooth and detailed. Their home dcor and furnishings are also immensely practical and combine art with social life in a really wonderful way.
A fine example of this is their use and incorporation of traditional social games into everyday furniture.
The beautiful, rich hand carved safari scenes on ebony heartwood coffee tables are not just for putting coffee on. The tables flip ingeniously for a game of Bao (a Mancala game) or Nine Men's Morris (Morabaraba). Can you think of a more enjoyable way to have a latte?
Social board games are integral to Malawi culture and street life. Even their two player games like oware or gulugufe are an occasion for a get together. People gather around these games to chat, eat and jeer one another one against an opponent. It is a past time enjoyed by both men and women and this is reflected in their use of table game furniture and dcor.
A Malawi Coffee table that doubles as game furniture is not only beautiful dcor for any home, it is enjoyable and practical dcor. It's decor that gets used. And the more you use it, the less it gathers dust. Instead, it begins to gather memories. Family memories of hot chocolate in winter gathered around art, furniture and fun - all in one.
The quality of the wood work and the materials used means that the furniture will usually last a life time (house fires not withstanding!) and only needs occasional polishing with beeswax. And because their table games and furniture are so well made they can withstand a bit of child-like rough housing.
Malawi's traditional board game and coffee table furniture is beautiful and original dcor that actually gets used and enjoyed, as well as admired for its beauty. This is the kind of household dcor that becomes more than just pretty and though its not always easy to find, it is worth every penny because it is a penny you won't ever have to replace!
