Four young children are observed gathered around a mancala board on dry, reddish-brown earth in the city of Ngalula, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Four young children are observed gathered around a mancala board on dry, reddish-brown earth in the city of Ngalula, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The children, appearing to be of pre-school or early primary school age, are seated in a loose semi-circle. Two wooden mancala boards, each featuring two rows of six circular depressions, are placed side-by-side in the center. Numerous translucent green marbles are distributed within the depressions, serving as game pieces. A child on the far left wears a multi-patterned shirt and striped shorts, with light brown sandals, and has hands positioned over the board. To the top-left, a bare-chested child in light brown trousers looks directly at the camera. At the top-right, a child wearing a light blue/green shirt and a yellow wristband observes the game board. The child on the right wears a dark long-sleeved shirt with red trim and light brown trousers, with hands engaging with the marbles on the board. The ground is characterized by parched soil, sparse dry light-colored grass, and scattered organic debris including twigs and leaves. Small pieces of non-organic debris, such as plastic, are also present on the ground surface.