Early 20th-Century Etnographic Materials on Traditional Games in Africa in Context of Game Studies History

Tihon K. Ermakov

doi:10.31804/2782-540X-2026-5-2-52-61

UDC

CSCSTI

13.00

Russian Classification of Professions by Education

51.00.00

Russian Trade and Bibliographic Classification

Russian Library and Bibliographic Classification

BISAC

GAM

VAK Russia

EARLY 20TH-CENTURY ETNOGRAPHIC MATERIALS ON TRADITIONAL GAMES IN AFRICA IN CONTEXT OF GAME STUDIES HISTORY Early 20th-Century Etnographic Materials on Traditional Games in Africa in Context of Game Studies History

АА Аа

Published in Asia, America and Africa history and modernity · Pages 52–61 · Rubric: African Studies

DOI: https://doi.org/10.31804/2782-540X-2026-5-2-52-61 · EDN: ZGMZMV

Received: 17.04.2026 Accepted: 08.06.2026 Published: 30.06.2026

Authors

Tihon K. Ermakov

Siberian Federal University

ABSTRACT

Understanding the current development of game studies requires examining the history of methods and theories related to the analysis of game practices in the context of various social sciences and humanities. A significant stage in this tradition is represented by studies related to classical socio-cultural anthropology and ethnography of the early 20th century, in which works devoted to the cultures of African peoples played a significant role. An analysis of several works published in the first half of the 20th century allows us to trace the logic of the development of the method of formal game analysis used to address a number of problems. The first group of studies is concerned with the study of games united by a single formal scheme, which dates back to "mancala." In such works, key attention is paid to the various variations of the original set of rules, which are explained primarily by intercultural contacts. The second group of studies is devoted to historical examples related to the culture of Ancient Egypt. Importantly, these studies attempt to interpret the "meaning" of games based on their representation in other works of art. Finally, the third block of research concerns the reception of non-African games within African cultures. This block allows us to explore the limits of the formal method, as solving the problem of transforming gaming practices within African culture requires an analysis of player experience, allowing us to formulate certain characteristics of "game culture" as a complex set of practices, rather than a set of the most common formal gaming patterns.

KEYWORDS

Game studies, mancala, formal analysis, Africa

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Ermakov T. K. Early 20th-Century Etnographic Materials on Traditional Games in Africa in Context of Game Studies History // Asia, America and Africa history and modernity. 2026. no. 2. pp. 52-61. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31804/2782-540X-2026-5-2-52-61. EDN: ZGMZMV. (Date of access 09.09.2026).

MLA

Tihon K. Ermakov. "Early 20th-Century Etnographic Materials on Traditional Games in Africa in Context of Game Studies History." Asia, America and Africa history and modernity 5.2 (2026): 52-61. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31804/2782-540X-2026-5-2-52-61. EDN: ZGMZMV.

APA

Ermakov T. K. (2026). Early 20th-Century Etnographic Materials on Traditional Games in Africa in Context of Game Studies History. Asia, America and Africa history and modernity, 5(2), 52-61. https://doi.org/10.31804/2782-540X-2026-5-2-52-61 EDN: ZGMZMV.

Chicago

Tihon K. Ermakov. "Early 20th-Century Etnographic Materials on Traditional Games in Africa in Context of Game Studies History." Asia, America and Africa history and modernity 5, no. 2 (2026): 52-61. https://doi.org/10.31804/2782-540X-2026-5-2-52-61. EDN: ZGMZMV.

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{{cite journal | author = Ermakov T. K. | title = Early 20th-Century Etnographic Materials on Traditional Games in Africa in Context of Game Studies History | journal = Asia, America and Africa history and modernity | year = 2026 | volume = 5 | issue = 2 | pages = 52-61 | doi = 10.31804/2782-540X-2026-5-2-52-61 }} EDN: ZGMZMV

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EARLY 20TH-CENTURY ETNOGRAPHIC MATERIALS ON TRADITIONAL GAMES IN AFRICA IN CONTEXT OF GAME STUDIES HISTORY Early 20th-Century Etnographic Materials on Traditional Games in Africa in Context of Game Studies History

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