Jenga is a popular board game enjoyed by people of all ages. The spelling of the word is based on the Swahili word "kujenga," which means "to build." The IPA phonetic transcription of "jenga" is /dʒɛŋɡə/, which includes the letter "d" to represent the initial "j" sound. The "e" after the "j" is pronounced with a short vowel sound, while the final "a" is pronounced with a schwa sound. The correct spelling of "jenga" is important for clear communication when playing the game or discussing it with others.
Jenga is a popular tabletop game that involves skillfully stacking and removing wooden blocks to create a tower-like structure. The name "Jenga" is derived from the Swahili word "kujenga," which means "to build." The goal of the game is to carefully remove one block at a time from the lower levels of the tower and balance it on top, without causing the entire structure to collapse.
Typically played with 54 rectangular blocks, Jenga requires a steady hand and strategic decision-making. Each block is initially placed in a sturdy tower formation with three blocks per layer, alternating their orientation (horizontally, vertically, or from side to side). As the game progresses, players take turns removing one block from any level except the top one, and then carefully adding it to the topmost level. This gradual removal and repositioning steadily shifts the tower's center of gravity, making it increasingly unstable and prone to toppling.
Jenga is widely regarded as a game of both physical and mental skill. Players must carefully assess the structural integrity of the tower and determine which blocks can be safely removed without causing a collapse. The game continues until the tower eventually falls, usually due to the shifting balance caused by the removal of too many blocks.
Jenga has gained immense popularity worldwide due to its simplicity, competitiveness, and the thrill of creating and destroying a precarious structure. It is often played at social gatherings, parties, and even organized tournaments.
The word "Jenga" has its roots in the Swahili language, specifically in the word "kujenga", which means "to build" or "to construct". The game Jenga was created in the 1970s by Leslie Scott, a British board game designer. She derived the name from the Swahili word to reflect the essence of the game – players build a tower by carefully balancing and stacking wooden blocks.