Shisima is a basic 3-in-a-row game similar to tic-tac-toe. The word Shisima is Kenyan for “body of water”. The game pieces are called imbalavali, which means “water bugs”, because the way they move on the game board resembles bugs on water. The Shisima Game is easy to make and fun to play!

Shisima Game Play

Materials: An octagon with 4 lines drawn so the lines intersect in the middle of the shape. Each player has 3 unique game pieces designed to represent the imbalavali. Often Kenyan children draw the game board into the dirt and use similar pebbles or beans as their bugs.

Object:

To get your 3 bugs in a row. This will require having 1 bug in the middle of the board.

Set Up:

Each player faces the board and positions their 3 bugs next to one another on the outside corners of the octagon. There should be an empty corner on either side of the players’ 3 imbalavali and the center is left open.

Moves:

Players takes turns moving 1 bug 1 space into an empty corner or center. They cannot jump another imbalavali. The play continues until a player has 3 bugs in a row. If the same moves are repeated three times, the game is called a draw.

Materials Needed for Making the Shisima Game:

• Pattern of octagon and imbalavali
• Paper for printing – we used card stock but any paper can be used
• Markers, crayons, paints, etc.
• Scissors

Directions:

Make a copy of the octagon and imbalavali pattern.

Color the water in the center of the octagon and the imbalavali. Each set of 3 bugs should be colored the same and distinctly different from the other set.

Cut out the octagon and the imbalavali. You are now ready to play!