Ayo Game is a board game play all over Africa and some parts of Asia, America and the Caribbean. Its is a strategy board game and and the rules are not uniform in all the countries where its played. The first version of this game developed by bonako is based on two forms of game play- Pia and Seca – that is popular in Cape Verde Islands.
This is an ancient game which its origin is unknown. However, some believe that the game was invented in Egypt during the time of the pharaohs and was later taken to various parts of Asia and other parts of Africa. During the slavery, it was taken to Americas and Carribean.
This game goes by other names, such as Awari, Mancala, Adi, Awale, Woaley, Wari, Ncho, Ouri, Adji, Ogedesi, Uko, Awele, Woro, Oware (Owari), Kboo, Kbo, Ayo, Ayoayo, Kale, Aghi, Bantum, Oril, Abawo, Adjito, Axoxodi, Darra, Djènon abé, Djènon abouré, Goré, J’erin, Je ki n je, Jodu o Kyekyemapuduo, Kpèh, Odú, Ayo Eleh o Ba-awa, Oguidize, Ohojitxi, Olowuka, Ouril, Redu, Sokusowó, Tihulelin Ti-n Azgag, Woaley, Wouri, Anywoli, Bao, Bechi, Enkeshui, Gebeta samai, Giuthi, Igisoro, Kiothi, Lame Uweiedet, Maide, Mbothe, Ndoto, Omweso, Selus, Sulus Aidi, Sulus Nishtaw, Uugg, Buqruru, Kkuz imrujen, Krur, Leb Bbut Ahboxen, Mankal’ah (Leab el-àkil), Mankal’ah (Leab el-ghasheem), Modiar, Mraw imrujen, Sdis imrujen, Um dyar, Akon(g), Kale, Kar, Kisolo, Mbek okola, Mbere Kabwanga, Kanotta, Katra (tanala), Katra, Katra, gorobaka, Katra mpantsaka, Katro, M’palé, Msuwa, Msuwa wa Kunja, Mulabalaba, Nakabili, Nchuba, Nchuwa, Njombwa, Tshuba, Ali Guli Mane, Cenne, Pallankuzhi, Pasu Pondi, Txuca Ruma, Vai Lung Thlan, Halusa, Congklak, Dakon, Motiq ka ia, Ô ăn quan, Sungka, Nord i Est, Eson Khorgol, Togyz Kumalak, Ayo ararà, Wari ararà, Waurie.