Wooden (Kohomba) Olinda Board

Hand carved "olinda" board made of Kohomba wood. Naturally colored. "Olinda Keliya" is a board game also known as Mancala games where a wooden board known as Olinda Kolombuwa or Olinda Poruwa which has several holes is used. The rules can differ from area to area, but the game is normally played by two players seated on either side of the board. On either side of the poruwa there are usually nine holes in which are placed four beads each. The beads are Olinda seeds that can be found in abundance in villages. The players have to shift the beads from one hole to the other and collect the seeds found in the hole immediately after an empty one. Ultimately the player who could collect the largest amount of olinda beads becomes the winner of the game. The "Olinda Kolumbuwa" also showcases the creativity of Sri Lankan traditional wood carvers. These boards are usually made of ebony (kaluwara) or kohomba wood and beautifully carved. Most of these boards that are with families were designed during the Kandyan period. There is also a large collection of these boards in the Colombo Museum indicating how popular the game must have been in those days. "Olinda Keliya" is also special, since it is mainly played by the women of the house while other traditional games are played mainly by men. Made in Sri Lanka.