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Africa - the board game | Africa - the board game |
(about 1 hour later) | |
By Tidiane Sy BBC News, Dakar | By Tidiane Sy BBC News, Dakar |
From Nelson Mandela to Muammar Gaddafi, national leaders have long dreamt of a united Africa. Now, the developers of a new board game are promising to help realise that vision. | From Nelson Mandela to Muammar Gaddafi, national leaders have long dreamt of a united Africa. Now, the developers of a new board game are promising to help realise that vision. |
Scattered about are 25 small squares, each of which covers a little piece of Africa. | Scattered about are 25 small squares, each of which covers a little piece of Africa. |
The aim is to make the African youth be aware of the need to work closely together and to quickly achieve the United States of Africa Salif Tidiane Ba | The aim is to make the African youth be aware of the need to work closely together and to quickly achieve the United States of Africa Salif Tidiane Ba |
Players use a dice and banknotes in the traditional African currency of the cowry, and they have to answer questions on the challenges facing Africa, or on Africa's history. | Players use a dice and banknotes in the traditional African currency of the cowry, and they have to answer questions on the challenges facing Africa, or on Africa's history. |
An example: "Which African country used to be called Dahomey?" | An example: "Which African country used to be called Dahomey?" |
The answer, for those who could not guess, is Benin. | The answer, for those who could not guess, is Benin. |
As they answer the questions, the players gradually fit the map of Africa back together. | As they answer the questions, the players gradually fit the map of Africa back together. |
This is Jekaben, a board game designed by committed pan-African Salif Tidiane Ba. | This is Jekaben, a board game designed by committed pan-African Salif Tidiane Ba. |
Huge challenge | Huge challenge |
Mr Ba thinks it could breed a new generation of pan-Africanists across the continent. | Mr Ba thinks it could breed a new generation of pan-Africanists across the continent. |
The game's name, Jekaben, is a term in the Bambara language which he says means "let's unite and decide together". | The game's name, Jekaben, is a term in the Bambara language which he says means "let's unite and decide together". |
Some of the trump cards may surprise the players | Some of the trump cards may surprise the players |
"The aim is to make the African youth be aware of the need to work closely together and to quickly achieve the United States of Africa," he says. | "The aim is to make the African youth be aware of the need to work closely together and to quickly achieve the United States of Africa," he says. |
Although he concedes it is a huge challenge which many leaders have failed to meet, he is confident it can become a reality. | Although he concedes it is a huge challenge which many leaders have failed to meet, he is confident it can become a reality. |
Well, within the limits of the game at least. | Well, within the limits of the game at least. |
As well as answering questions about the continent, players of the game can also grab some of the new opportunities offered to the continent, such as mining concessions. | As well as answering questions about the continent, players of the game can also grab some of the new opportunities offered to the continent, such as mining concessions. |
And they can collect trump cards - from a pack entitled "Wise leaders of Africa". | And they can collect trump cards - from a pack entitled "Wise leaders of Africa". |
The statesmen - including Col Gaddafi, Mr Mandela and Senegal's Abdoulaye Wade - are regarded by Mr Ba as symbols of pan-Africanism. | The statesmen - including Col Gaddafi, Mr Mandela and Senegal's Abdoulaye Wade - are regarded by Mr Ba as symbols of pan-Africanism. |
"Their cards are used as trump cards, they allow the player to move faster towards the United States of Africa," he says. | "Their cards are used as trump cards, they allow the player to move faster towards the United States of Africa," he says. |
But he is aware that not all of his "wise leaders" will meet with universal approval. | But he is aware that not all of his "wise leaders" will meet with universal approval. |
Included in the pack is Nigeria's Olusegun Obasanjo, a former military strongman. | Included in the pack is Nigeria's Olusegun Obasanjo, a former military strongman. |
The late Omar Bongo of Gabon, who was accused of massive embezzlement of his country's oil wealth during four decades in power, is also featured. | The late Omar Bongo of Gabon, who was accused of massive embezzlement of his country's oil wealth during four decades in power, is also featured. |
And Ghana's Kwame Nkrumah, who was overthrown in a coup after his rule descended into authoritarianism, also gets a card of his own. | And Ghana's Kwame Nkrumah, who was overthrown in a coup after his rule descended into authoritarianism, also gets a card of his own. |
Mr Ba admits that the choice is a very personal one. | Mr Ba admits that the choice is a very personal one. |
Not child's play | Not child's play |
But he hopes that the end justifies the means. | But he hopes that the end justifies the means. |
At the end of the game, an African map should be drawn on the board. | At the end of the game, an African map should be drawn on the board. |
Could a board game really succeed in uniting Africa? | Could a board game really succeed in uniting Africa? |
The players then get their African passport - the final step and ultimate reward. | The players then get their African passport - the final step and ultimate reward. |
The game already exists in English, Arabic and French and is also being translated into Spanish and Portuguese. | The game already exists in English, Arabic and French and is also being translated into Spanish and Portuguese. |
Mr Ba also hopes African languages will soon be catered for. | Mr Ba also hopes African languages will soon be catered for. |
"We are planning to have it translated by next year into Swahili, Mandingo, Hausa, and other African languages," he says. | "We are planning to have it translated by next year into Swahili, Mandingo, Hausa, and other African languages," he says. |
So far, the game is being made in local workshops but Mr Ba is hoping to produce it on an industrial scale and sell it across the continent. | |
One of his main challenges will be to generate enough interest to popularise the game and reach the masses. | |
Not all of the questions are child's play. | Not all of the questions are child's play. |
Another example: "Which African author wrote Things Fall Apart?" | Another example: "Which African author wrote Things Fall Apart?" |
Perhaps pan-Africanism will not prove so easy after all. | Perhaps pan-Africanism will not prove so easy after all. |
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