This is a traditional game which I enjoyed playing a lot as a child. Recently I found them used in hotels and restaurants in Indonesia either for decor purposes or to contain snacks. Brings back lots of good memories! It is known as Congkak in Indonesia.

The oldest mancala game boards were found in a ruined fort of Roman Egypt and date back to the 4th century AD. The game was likely introduced to Southeast Asia by Indian in the 15th century. Ancient Tamils during their Chola expedition and Trading with Indonesian Islands ( Sumetra, Java ) took this game there. In Indonesia, this is known as Congkak or Congklakin. It is believed to have spread throughout Malay world through merchants via Malacca, an important trading post at that time. In the early days, it was thought that this game was for the king and family and palace residents, however later it spread to the general population of the kingdom. Beside the Indian Peranakan also enjoy playing Congkak.

In Java, the term "dakon stone" refers to the similarly pitmarked stones from the bronze-Iron Age period of Indonesia. These stones have rows of 4 or 5 cup-shaped holes and two holes at each end, a formation which has much in common with that of the similarly named game in Java. This prehistoric dakon stones is unrelated to the game and were probably employed in ceremonies to propitiate ancestors. Such stones can be found around Java.

The current Malaysian Ringgit 10 sen coin has a Congkak board on the reverse in recognition of the long history of congkak in Malaysia.

Source: Wikipedia

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