Mabuiag Island game Kolap

Kolap is a game played in the Torres Strait Islands using the red beans from the Kolap tree.

The beans are rubbed in oil to make them shiny and easy to slide for the game.

It must be played on a hard surface, such as hard sand or a mat.

Every player is given two beans each.

They must get the beans over a line or just above the line and on to a mat.

The further the beans travel the higher points you receive.

The more beans players get across the line, the better their score.

Players win when they have palgupmin, meaning they have the five highest points.

Kolap can be played in pairs or individually by both males and females.

Young people ready for initiation will learn to play Kolap by watching the adults.

The game is usually played around turtle mating season, known as naygay.

The kolap beans when cracked open are used to make rattles which are shaken while dancing.