CONCLUSION
In spite of that grim outcome for the Malagasy government, do have fun with this game. It’s a very different approach to divination, and the results could surprise you; it’s intriguing to see the results you can get when you get the thinking mind out of the way and let the deeper answer come through. When you get right down to it, that’s what you’re looking for in divination.
Because game boards are essentially diagrams used to achieve a particular outcome, I categorize Fanorona under my own coined term, chartomancy, which I define as any form of divination which employs the use, consultation or filling-out of charts, diagrams or forms. Fanorona is a divination tool which lends itself well to group participation. Besides two players, you may want to appoint an official score-keeper, so the players can focus on the game and keep things moving. You may want to switch-off pairs of players every few rounds. On-lookers with their own separate takes on the results of the game may have helpful insights as to the interpretation.
EXERCISES
- Play a game of Fanorona, either by yourself or with one other person, with no question for which you are seeking an answer. What was the result, and how did you interpret it? Return to the notes from the game later; did things transpire as you predicted?
- Play a game of Fanorona, either by yourself or with one other person, with a question to which you are seeking an answer. What was the result, and how did you interpret it? Return to the notes from the game later; did things transpire as you predicted?
- Play at least one game of Fanorona by yourself, and at least one with an opponent. Use the same question for each game. Compare and contrast the experience; did you get more accurate, clear, understandable results when playing with another person, or when playing by yourself? Was there a difference?
- Given your experiences with the game of Fanorona, is this a divination tool you would use again? In what circumstances would you use it? For what sort of questions would you employ this form of divination?
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Pennick, Nigel. Secret Games of the Gods. York Beach, Maine: Samuel Weiser, Inc., 1997. Pp. 214-215.
The book is sub-titled ‘Ancient Ritual Systems in Board Games’ but it is a good history of board games, albeit from the standpoint of their occult significance to the societies which produced them.
Wikipedia. Queen Ranavalona III. For those interested and with a few minutes to spare, I encourage you to read Queen Ranavalona’s biography on Wikipedia. Though she lived a life of relative privilege, I found her story a little tragic.
