Oware is a strategic board game traditionally played by the peoples of West Africa. The game is played by two participants on a board consisting of twelve small pits arranged in two rows of six. In addition, each player has a larger storage pit, or “store,” used to collect captured stones. The game is played with 48 playing pieces, typically stones, seeds, or beads.

The six small pits on a player's side of the board constitute that player's field, while the six pits directly opposite belong to the opponent. Players take turns moving the pieces according to the rules of the game, aiming to collect as many stones as possible in their store. The winner is the player who captures and stores the greatest number of stones by the end of the game.