Maasai elders (ilmoruak) playing enkeshui, a traditional board game, Rift valley region, Kenya

"Enkeshui is the mankala (mancala) game played by the Maasai (Masai). The board has two rows with eight, ten or twelve pits in a row. It may be significant that only even numbers are used. Among the Maasai the even numbers have female connotations and this might subconsciously be related to the symbolism of placing seeds in pits. Women do not play the game among the Maasai. Twelve is the preferred number of pits for each row but eight is common because that board is much easier to carry. Eight is also used by beginners. The most interesting thing about enkeshui is not the rules themselves but how the game is played. As with all things Maasai, it is generally a group effort with decisions made according to principles of egalitarianism and consensus. Each side consists of a 'floating' team of up to five players." This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for American Broadcasting Company and traveled to Africa from early December 1966 to early February 1967.