congkak

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Malay congak (“mental calculations”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈt͡ʃoʊŋkʌk/

Noun

congkak (uncountable)

1. A traditional Malay two-player mancala game in which seeds or marbles are dropped into depressions carved into a boat-shaped wooden board.
   • 1979 May 21, “The Business Times”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name), page 6:

     Competitions are also being organized by the Museum in games like congkak, gasing (top-spinning), capteh, five stones and cat’s cradle.

   • 1991 June 3, Yaakub Rashid, The Straits Times, page 47:

     Congkak is a game played by Malay women and children in Malaysia during their leisure hours but its origin is obscure.

   • 2003 November 24, Amanda Koh, Today Newspaper, page 33:

     On Hari Raya, the Asian Civilisations Museum offers an afternoon of traditional Malay games of chapteh and congkak.

   • 2015 January 21, Yeo Sam Jo, The Straits Times:

     It includes news articles and features, event listings, a video gallery and even a cyber version of congkak - a traditional Malay game.