Vintage Safari Games?

[gcbailey]

Perusing Rigby and Purdey's websites, I see that both offer a travel backgammon set., I know few people who play backgammon and was surprised that two high end firearms companies offer the game. This got me to thinking. Is backgammon a game that was traditionally played while on safari? I have read quite a few (around 70) hunting books but don't recall any of them ever mentioning games of any type.

I do like the idea of backgammon, as it is an ancient game that began in Iraq. My wife being Assyrian, that would be a fun game to get into with the kids to learn both a new game and a little more about their mother's side of history. Does anyone know of card or board games that were traditionally played while killing time on safari?

 

[towserthemouser]

My favorite safari game is: "Can't you see that buffalo right there, standing in a dense thicket? Look, there's his ear!"

 

[baxterb]

I used to love playing backgammon as a kid. The problem nowadays is finding someone to sit down that long.

I also like Mancala - or Bao as it is called in east africa. I have never heard of old school safaris playing it, but it is a very old game, one of the earliest. I have seen pics of bao boards carved into rocks in tanzania. Just make sure you agree on the rules before playing with someone as they can vary a little.

 

[steve white]

Poker or "42" dominoes?

 

[Tintin]

Good thread - I’m currently in the market for a nice old (or old style) backgammon set for the trophy room to go with the Purdey and Rigby playing cards.

I enjoy backgammon - although have not played it in Africa … yet.

 

[cajunchefray]

Good thread - I’m currently in the market for a nice old (or old style) backgammon set for the trophy room to go with the Purdey and Rigby playing cards.

I enjoy backgammon - although have not played it in Africa … yet.

Interesting thread. I hypothesized that backgammon was imported to East Africa by Phoenician and Arab traders millennia ago.

I learned the game from my good friend from Beirut who came to Louisiana.for college.
My good friend from Damascus has a classic game set.

Later walking the streets of Cairo and Beirut, I saw backgammon was very popular at the cafes.

Probably transplanted to BEA in the late 1800, early 1900s.

Simple set but interesting game.

 

[steve white]

Jumanji
And what was the rifle/caliber carried by the hunter who tried to shoot the main character?

 

[K-man]

I actually made a backgammon game for my wife back before children when we had time to play. Leather interior, brass bound. I think I will move it to the trophy room soon. Good thread! Maybe I can teach my grandsons to play. Nice to read about it's history.

 

[gcbailey]

My favorite safari game is: "Can't you see that buffalo right there, standing in a dense thicket? Look, there's his ear!"

I played that game with a lion-I didn't enjoy that part of the game. lol

 

[gcbailey]

Good thread - I’m currently in the market for a nice old (or old style) backgammon set for the trophy room to go with the Purdey and Rigby playing cards.

I enjoy backgammon - although have not played it in Africa … yet.

I just ordered a pack of the Purdey cards. Rigby were sold out, but they looked quite nice. There are some impressive backgammon boards on Etsy. A bit pricey, but quite nice.

 

[Tintin]

There are some impressive backgammon boards on Etsy. A bit pricey, but quite nice.

That’s funny - I reckon we’ve been looking at the same things today.

Some of those sets on Etsy from Armenia are classy.

I wonder if a ‘Show us your backgammon set’ thread would give What watch do you wear when hunting a run for it’s money?

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Jumanji
And what was the rifle/caliber carried by the hunter who tried to shoot the main character?

A Winchester Model 1901, which the producers mocked up to look like a bizarre lever action big bore rifle with a strange curved 15 round detachable box magazine.

In-story, the ammunition for that thing was last made in 1903. So probably intended to be a fictionalized 4 gauge rifle, ammunition production for which ceased before 1902.

 

[Sideshow]

Vintage safari games……..wasn’t that like how many porters got eaten last night? Played in Tsavo and other such places!

Or guess the Doctors name? Livingston wasn’t it?

I’m more for guess the weight of the gold statue by replacing it with a bag of sand…..but you need to hate snakes and like pet monkeys to be good at that one

 

[gcbailey]

I used to love playing backgammon as a kid. The problem nowadays is finding someone to sit down that long.

I also like Mancala - or Bao as it is called in east africa. I have never heard of old school safaris playing it, but it is a very old game, one of the earliest. I have seen pics of bao boards carved into rocks in tanzania. Just make sure you agree on the rules before playing with someone as they can vary a little.

Well, I just looked up how to play Mancala and found an app so I could try it. I like it! I was surprised to find that there are not only many ways to play, but also requires a fair amount of strategy. I can see why this is an old game, as it can be played virtually anywhere. Thanks for the input!

 

[rookhawk]

Perusing Rigby and Purdey's websites, I see that both offer a travel backgammon set., I know few people who play backgammon and was surprised that two high end firearms companies offer the game. This got me to thinking. Is backgammon a game that was traditionally played while on safari? I have read quite a few (around 70) hunting books but don't recall any of them ever mentioning games of any type.

I do like the idea of backgammon, as it is an ancient game that began in Iraq. My wife being Assyrian, that would be a fun game to get into with the kids to learn both a new game and a little more about their mother's side of history. Does anyone know of card or board games that were traditionally played while killing time on safari?

Backgammon was a very popular "travel game" for the well to do from around 1920--1960. My family are fanatical players. They have several tournament sized sets. When we go to Miami for Easter it isn't uncommon to see people playing with a travel set they brought with them while sitting in a Cabana.

I had considered having a vintage set reupholstered in exotic game skins.

It's a cool game.