A quiet war, fought on the ground
Every Somali town has a corner where this game is running.
Under a tree at the edge of the market, on the paving outside a shop, in the shade of a wall by the port: two men crouched over twenty-four points, and a ring of onlookers telling them both what to do. It is a war fought with pebbles.
Shaxda jeexannaye jaalkayoow,jare haddaan yeesho,marna inaan ku jixinjixeyn,jiri calooshaada…
My friend, the board is drawn between us,and if I cut a jare,know that I will not go gently with you.Steady your stomach.
traditional (suugaan bulsho)
On film
See it played, and hear the talk around it
The board is only half of it. The rest is the crowd, the argument, and the verse a player drops when he has you beaten.