Shisima is a Kenyan word that means “source of water.” The game pieces are imbalavali which means “water insect”. This game was created by the people of Kenya who watched imbalavali or water insects crawl towards the shisima or source of water in a manner that made it hard to keep an eye on them. Similarly, Shisima players move their pieces around the board so quickly it is hard to track them.

Shisima Setup

Print off the Shisima Game board (click here) or draw an octagon with four straight lines connecting the corners.  Then, collect six game pieces, this can be rocks, legos, pom poms or anything you have on hand. You will need two different style or colors of game pieces, three of each.   

Place the six game pieces on the corners of the octagon as pictured here.

What is the Objective of the Game?

The object of this game is to be the first player to create a straight line through the center of the Shisima.  

How Do you Play Shisima?

Player one will move one of their three pieces at a time.  Pieces can only move one place at a time and can not jump other pieces.  Then player two moves one piece. Players will take turns moving their pieces until someone has created created a straight line. The first player to create a straight line is the winner.  

This game is simple enough for young kids, but requires a level of strategy that keeps it interesting for old kids and adults.