Gebeta

About

Gebeta (ገበጣ) is one of the world's oldest mathematical strategy games, revered across the Horn of Africa for thousands of years. This modern digital edition captures its tactile soul with 4 historical variants (Gebeta classic, Gebeta Weqer with captured houses, Kalah, and 4-row Selus). Features include smart AI engines (Student, Clever, Master), smooth pass-and-play on one device, interactive rule tutorials on a virtual 3D board, and real-time online ranked matchmaking.

Carved into the volcanic rocks of Yeha and the stelae of Axum, Gebeta is a cornerstone of cultural heritage. It trains numerical intuition, spatial anticipation, and social bonding across generations.

What's inside

Four Historical Variants

4 ዝተፈላለዩ ቅዲታት

Play Gebeta (2x6), Gebeta Weqer (ወቀር houses), Kalah (casual store rules), or Selus (4 rows).

Intelligent AI Opponent

ምስ ኮምፒተር ተጻወት

Test your tactical sowing against Student, Clever, and Master artificial intelligence engines.

Real-Time Online Matchmaking

ብቐጥታ ብኦንላይን

Quick matches, private invite rooms, public lobby list, and competitive ranked ELO ladder.

Interactive Board Lessons

መምርሒ ጸወታ

Learn the nuances of continuous sowing, capturing seeds, and defending houses step-by-step.

Artisan Board Themes

ቅዲታት ሰሌዳ

Switch between Carved Wood, Tibeb Weave, Lalibela Stone, and Buna Night visual aesthetics.

Ways to play

• Gebeta (Traditional 2x6)

  Two rows of six pits

  Keep sowing while landing on seeds; form a pit of exactly four to capture it instantly.

• Gebeta · Weqer (ወቀር)

  Territory and houses

  Forming four on your side claims the pit as your permanent house (ወቀር), safe from enemy capture.

• Selus (Four Rows)

  From Tigray and Eritrea

  Advanced four-row strategic board. Capture seeds from your opponent's inner row.

• Kalah

  Gentle beginner variant

  Includes score stores at each end. Land in your store to earn bonus consecutive turns.