Liberian Queah
Origins
The game was first recorded by games historian HJR Murray as an unnamed game from the Queah Tribe of Liberia. It was later recorded in 1882, with players being members of the Queah tribe.
Board
The game is played on a slanted or diagonal square board with only 13 spaces. The traditional board is made from a lattice of twigs and sticks.
Pieces
Each player has 10 pieces, with one playing with black pieces and the other with white pieces. Pieces move orthogonally along the slanted or diagonal square boards.
Gameplay
The goal is to capture all of the opponent’s pieces. Pieces are captured by the short leap, and each player must have four pieces on the board at all times. Captured pieces are resupplied at the beginning of the next turn with a piece from the player’s reserve.
Related Games
Liberian Queah is somewhat related to draughts, Alquerque, Yote, and Choko, but it is considered a “game isolate” as it cannot be truly classified with any other game.
Significance
The game is popular and significant because it is a traditional board game from Liberia, dating back centuries. It showcases the rich cultural history and strategic thinking of the Queah tribe and provides an insight into their unique board game traditions.
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