What shagai are
Shagai are the ankle bones (the astragalus bone) of sheep, and sometimes of goats or other animals. They are small, roughly the size of a large die, with an irregular shape that gives four distinct resting sides. Nearly every herding family has a set, since the bones are a by-product of eating mutton. They are cleaned, sometimes dyed or polished, and kept in a pouch or small box. The game is played by children and adults and is common in homes, particularly in the long cold season when time is spent indoors.
Similar knucklebone games exist in many parts of the world, and the Mongolian form is among the best known. The use of animal anklebones as game pieces is very old across Eurasia, but dating the Mongolian tradition precisely is difficult, so it is best to call it long-standing.
The four sides
Each of the four sides is named after one of the herd animals, which links the game directly to the five animals of Mongolian herders (the fifth, cattle and yaks, is not represented in the usual naming). The sides are typically called:
- horse
- camel
- sheep
- goat
The names refer to the general look of each side. The horse side is usually considered the luckiest and most valued, and the others have their own meanings in different games. Players learn quickly to read the sides at a glance. A bone landing on a given side is not a matter of skill alone, since a thrown bone falls unpredictably, so chance plays a part in many games, even where players also use technique.
Common games
There are many ways to play, and rules differ between families and regions. Some of the most widely described include:
- Throwing and collecting. Players toss a handful of bones and win or collect pieces based on which sides face up.
- Flicking. Players flick one bone with a finger, often using a small device or a thumb-and-finger motion, to hit another bone from a distance. Accuracy matters, and the game is similar in spirit to marbles.
- Horse racing with bones. Bones representing horses are placed on a board or on the floor and moved according to throws, as a miniature of the real race. Children often enjoy this version, which takes the idea of the festival race and makes it a table game.
- Shagai shooting. A competitive form in which players flick bones at a target line of bones. It is sometimes included in festival programs as a recognized contest, though it is not one of the three manly games.
Because rules vary, it is best to ask the family teaching you. A visitor invited to play will generally be given a quick explanation, and mistakes are taken in good humor.
Fortune telling and symbolism
Shagai also serve as a simple form of divination. A person asks a question or sets an intention, throws a set of bones, and interprets the sides that appear. A common description is that more horse sides indicate good luck, though the interpretations differ by family. Fortune telling by bones is a light-hearted practice in many homes, and it is also connected with older beliefs. The wider context of belief is described in the articles on daily beliefs and Mongolian shamanism, but it is best not to assume a particular religious meaning for any single family’s game.
The bones are also treated as good-luck charms. Some people carry one or two, and shagai may be given as small gifts. In some places they are used in decoration or in children’s toys. Because the bone comes from an animal that sustains the family, many view it with respect.
Where it fits in a household
In traditional homes, the game is a social activity, often played after a meal. A set of shagai is a fixture in a ger, and the long evenings of winter are a natural time for games. Children learn the names of the sides early, and the game helps them recognize the animals in the herd. For the broader place of such games in a child’s life, see the article on steppe childhood.
If you visit a herder family, you may be offered a set to try. Joining in is a friendly way to connect, even without a shared language. Remember the basic courtesies of ger etiquette: do not step over someone’s legs or belongings, and sit where you are invited.
Buying or taking shagai home
Painted or polished sets are sold in markets and souvenir shops. Some are made of natural bone, and others of plastic or metal. If you plan to bring natural bone sets home, check the customs and import rules of your own country, as restrictions on animal products vary and change. Buying from local craft sellers is a pleasant way to support small businesses, and the traditional crafts article describes other items you may find alongside them.
A small game with a wide meaning
Shagai show how a household uses what it has. The same animals that provide food, clothing and transport also provide the pieces of a game, and the sides named after the herd keep that relationship visible. For a traveler, a few minutes with a set of shagai can say as much about nomadic life as a long lecture.