Overview

Adji-boto (“pebble boat”) is a traditional mancala game played by the Saramaccan people of the upper Saramacca River in Suriname. Two players take turns sowing stones from holes on a 2x5 board, capturing stones when certain conditions are met. The game combines strategic sowing with a distinctive capture mechanic based on odd-number patterns (1, 3, or 5 stones).

Components

• 1 wooden board (adji-bangi, “pebble stool”) with 2 rows of 5 holes (10 holes total)
• 2 store holes (boto, “boat”), one at each player’s right side
• 100 stones (adji, “pebbles”) — 10 per hole at the start

Setup

1. Place the board between the two players so each controls the row of 5 holes nearest to them.
2. Place exactly 10 stones in each of the 10 playing holes (100 stones total).
3. Each player’s store (boto) is to their right, initially empty.
4. Determine first player.

Turn Structure

On each turn, a player:

1. Picks up all stones from one of their own holes, except one stone which remains in the hole.
2. Sows the picked-up stones one by one into consecutive holes in an anti-clockwise (counterclockwise) direction.
3. Checks for captures at the hole preceding the last-sown stone (see Capture rules).

Actions

Sowing

• Select a hole from your own row that contains at least 2 stones.
• Leave 1 stone in the selected hole.
• Distribute the remaining stones one at a time into consecutive holes, moving anti-clockwise.
• Stones are placed in all holes encountered, including the opponent’s holes, but skipping both stores (botos).

Capture

After sowing, check the hole(s) immediately following the last-sown stone:

• If the hole after the last-sown stone (and continuing in a chain) contains exactly 1, 3, or 5 stones, those stones are captured.
• Captures continue in sequence: if the next hole in the chain also contains 1, 3, or 5 stones, it is also captured, and so on, until a hole is reached that does not contain 1, 3, or 5 stones.
• Captured stones are placed in the capturing player’s boto (store).

Movement Restrictions

• First 10 moves: All 10 playing holes must be played before any hole can be played a second time. This ensures every hole is activated early in the game.
• A player may only sow from a hole that contains at least 2 stones (since 1 must remain).
• A player may not pass unless they have no legal move available.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

The game ends when neither player can make a legal move (no hole on either side contains 2 or more stones). Each player counts the stones in their boto. The player with more captured stones wins.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Mandatory opening moves: During the first 10 moves of the game, each of the 10 holes must be played exactly once before any hole is replayed.
• Remaining stone: When sowing, exactly 1 stone always remains in the chosen hole — this is not optional.
• Chain captures: Captures extend as a continuous chain from the hole after the last-sown stone. The chain breaks as soon as a hole contains a number other than 1, 3, or 5.
• No passing: A player must make a move if any legal move exists.
• Cultural context: Adji-boto is traditionally played by the Saramaccan people during mourning ceremonies, only during daylight hours. Boards are carved only by elderly widowed men.

Player Reference

Term	Meaning
Adji-bangi	Game board (“pebble stool”)
Boto	Store/scoring pit (“boat”)
Adji	Stones/pebbles
Kaba	When the last stone ends in a hole

Turn flow: Pick up stones (leave 1) → Sow anti-clockwise → Capture chains of 1/3/5

Capture numbers: 1, 3, or 5 stones in a chain of consecutive holes after the last sown stone

Win condition: Most stones captured when no legal moves remain