• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

What Do We Do All Day logo

  • Start Here
  • Books
    • Classics
      • 20th Century Classics
    • Early Chapter Books
    • Easy Readers
    • Folktales
    • Holiday Books
    • Middle Grade (8-12 years)
    • Nonfiction
    • Picture Books
    • Read Aloud Chapter Books
  • Games
    • Traditional Games
  • Kids Activities
    • Arts and Crafts
    • Literacy & Writing
    • Math
    • Playful Activities
    • Science
    • Toddler
  • Parenting
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Books for kids
  • Games
  • Indoor activities for kids
  • Parenting
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • ×
    You are here: Home / Games / Kolowis Awithlaknannai: Fighting Serpents Game

     

    Kolowis Awithlaknannai: Fighting Serpents Game

    1035 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Kolowis Awithlaknannai, also known as "Fighting Serpents," is a traditional abstract strategy game from the Zuni people. The Zunis are Native American Pueblo people from the region presently occupied by New Mexico.

    kolowis awithlaknannai game boards in two sizes

    The game board consists of pairs of triangles. Traditionally, Kolowis Awithlaknannai is played on a board of 30 pairs of triangles, with 23 tokens per player. We've paired down the game board significantly to make it easier for children, and to shorten the length of the game.

    To learn how to play another abstract strategy board game from the Native Americans from the southwest region, try out Picaria, or check out all the traditional games from around the world we've shared with you here.

    How to Play Kolowis Awithlaknannai

    Objective: To capture or block your opponent. 

    What you need:

    • Game board. See form below to get our free printable, or draw your own. Our printable includes 2 smaller versions. One with 4 pairs of triangles and one with 8 pairs.
    • 6 or 12 tokens per player (depending on which board you choose), in 2 different colors
    • 2 enthusiastic players
    • A crown of victory (optional)

    Watch the video instructions and scroll down for the written instructions, tips and history of the game.

    Instructions

    1. Set up the game board

      Print out our game board, or draw your own. We suggest starting out with the smaller game board and 6 tokens per player.

      Decide who goes first. 4 tokens per player are placed on outside row of points nearest each player. The remaining 2 tokens are placed on the middle row of points, starting with the point to the far right of each player. The middle point will be empty. See photo. kolowis starting positions

    2. Make the first move!

      The first player moves one token to an empty point. At the start of the game, only the middle point is empty.

    3. Rules

      Alternating turns, players move one token to an adjacent empty point according to the following conditions:

      Tokens may move in any direction, but may only move along the lines.

      Players must jump any available token that can be jumped. This means the second player's first move must be a jump.

      Jumped tokens are removed from play.

      Multiple jumps with the same token are allowed in a single turn. You may also change direction after making the first jump in order to make the second jump.

      If a player fails to make an available jump, their opponent gets to remove that token from play before their next move. If two different jumps were available, but not possible to complete with a single token, no forfeit is made.

    4. Winning

      The first player to remove all of their opponent's tokens from play is declared the winner and gets to wear the crown of victory.

      Alternatively, if a player is able to prevent their opponent from making a legal move, they win and get to don the crown. kolowis awithlaknannai game board with 4 remaining tokens

    Notes on playing:

    If players reach an impasse in play, with no end in sight, they can decide to either 1) call it a draw; or 2) decide that the player with the most tokens remaining is the winner.

    Variations:

    The beauty of traditional games is they can evolve over time and players can feel free to try out new rules and variations. Here are some ideas to consider:

    • Use a smaller or larger board. No matter how long the board is, you need enough tokens so that in the opening position only the center point is empty.
    • Do not allow players to change direction when capturing multiple tokens
    • Allow captures to be optional instead of compulsory

    Boost strategic thinking:

    Since Kolowis Awithlaknannai relies on skill and not chance, players have a great opportunity to build upon their strategic thinking skills. Ask these questions:

    1. Is it better to go first or second?
    2. Should you ever allow your token to be captured on purpose?
    3. How can you avoid a draw?
    4. How does using a different size game board affect game play?
    5. Is it better to focus on forcing your opponent into the middle of the board or the ends?
    kolowis awithlaknannai game board

    History of Kolowis Awithlaknannai

    Awithlaknannai comes from the Zuni American Indians. It is part of the Alquerque family of games. A defining characteristic of Alquerque games that pieces can move diagonally and jump to capture enemy tokens, as in checkers.

    Games expert and American ethnographer, Stewart Culin, described the game in his 1907 book, Games of the North American Indians Volume 2: Games of Skill. It is believed the Zuni people adapted the game from an Alquerque game introduced by the Spanish Conquistadors.

    More of our favorite traditional games:

    • Queah - from Liberia
    • Picaria from the Zuni
    • Watermelon Chess - from China

    Further resources on American Indian traditional games:

    • South Dakota State University : Traditional Native American Games
    • The Institute for American Indian Studies
    • Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center

    Want Your Kids to Love Being Unplugged?
    Subscribe to our newsletter and as a thank you, receive 10 waiting games kids can play anytime anywhere.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    « My Favorite Gift for Kids (That's Not a Book)
    Gift Guide for Kids: Best Single Player Logic Games »
    1035 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Erica! I believe parents can stay sane without giving their kids an electronic device. Learn how!

    More about me →

    Newsletter

    Join over 19,000 subscribers who said "Yes! I want to unplug my kids!" We'll send you 10 waiting games your kids can play anytime, anywhere. Join here -->

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About the Site

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and join over 15,000 other families finding ways reduce screen time.

    Other Stuff

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

    Copyright © 2023 What Creative Media LLC

    Want Your Kids to Love Being Unplugged?
    Subscribe to our newsletter and as a thank you, receive 10 waiting games kids can play anytime anywhere.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    Want More Free Activity Ideas?
    Join our email list and as a thank you gift I'll send you a list of 10 waiting games that will make your kids smarter.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    Want your kids to love being unplugged?
    Join our newsletter and as a thank you, I'll send you a list of 10 waiting games.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you keep using this website we will assume you are OK with that. Read our privacy policy for more.OKRead more