Tâb is a traditional Egyptian game, although its origins are unclear. The game was first mentioned in 1310. Based on some of the words used in the game, such as tâb = the throwing sticks, seega = the playing board, it can be assumed that the game originated in the Middle East. In the past, it was played throughout the Islamic world, from West Africa to Iran in the east and from Turkey in the north to Anjouan in the south.
Tâb was the game popular with the poorer classes in Egypt. It was last mentioned in the 1820s by Lane, an English traveler.
The game was described by Western scholars from the late 17th to the early 19th century: Hyde, Niebuhr and Lane. But only in certain areas of Norway, Denmark and Lapland were related games popular. The playing field is four by eleven squares. Each player has eleven pieces of one color. The dice are thrown with 4 semicircular sticks marked on one side.
Tâb is played by two people on a board with four rows of (usually) nine squares. Each player has eleven pieces that move around the board, as if it were a race track, depending on the throws of the four sticks. The pieces don't try to reach the end, but keep circling, trying to trap their enemies, until only one side of the board remains.
Languages: Instructions: DE, FR, IT, EN
Players: 2
Contents: 1 leather playing field, 11 wooden playing pieces in dark, 11 wooden playing pieces in light, 2 replacement playing pieces each, instructions.
Warning: Caution! Not suitable for children under 3 years of age. Choking hazard.
Choking hazard
Playing field size: 26 cm
