Fanorona is the national game of Madagascar, where there are three versions. Although no one knows who invented the game, it can be traced back hundreds of years and there are many stories of kings and queens playing the game. One story is of Prince Andriantompokoindrindra, who missed being chosen as king because he could not stop playing the game to return to his father, leaving his younger brother to inherit the throne.

Fanorona is a strategic game similar to draughts but more complex. Two players sit opposite each other and control a set of coloured pieces. The idea is to capture as many of your opponents pieces as possible until either there are none left or you can force them into a position where they can’t move without being taken. The pieces can be moved in any direction but only along the lines of the board.

The board is made of light wood with the lines and intersections painted on in black. There are drawers in the side to hold the stones / pieces, which are (today) made of plastic.