Togyz Kumalak

Togyzqumalaq became the first board game to be included in the Global List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Togyzqumalaq is a game that sharpens resourcefulness and ingenuity while teaching mathematical thinking and patience. It is based on the number 9, which the ancient Turks considered sacred. The game is sometimes called the "algebra of shepherds" because all four basic mathematical operations are used during play. The game is built on speed and counting strategy.