What is moolinyan?

Moolinyan is a traditional Aboriginal Australian board game, primarily played by the people of the Yuin Nation in coastal New South Wales.

The game involves two players or teams using a board etched into the ground or on a rock surface, often featuring a pattern of holes connected by lines. These patterns can vary regionally.

The goal of Moolinyan is to strategically move pieces (traditionally pebbles, shells, or seeds) around the board to capture the opponent's pieces or block their movements. Specific rules vary from community to community. Variations in gameplay and board%20designs reflect regional customs and cultural heritage.

Historically, Moolinyan served as a form of entertainment, social interaction, and also potentially as a teaching tool for strategic thinking and planning. It represents an important part of Aboriginal cultural heritage, linked to oral%20history and traditional knowledge. Contemporary efforts are underway to revive and preserve the game, teaching it to younger generations and sharing it with a wider audience as a form of cultural preservation and awareness of Aboriginal%20culture.