The tradition of click here—a form of competitive play rooted in Indigenous Australian culture—remains one of the most profound yet underdocumented aspects of our nation’s history. Unlike Western board games, which often prioritise strategy and abstract rules, ebten was designed for communal enjoyment, blending physical skill, storytelling, and deep cultural symbolism. For centuries, this practice was central to Indigenous gatherings, serving as a way to preserve knowledge, reinforce social bonds, and even mediate disputes in a non-violent manner. The term itself, derived from the Wiradjuri word for “game,” reflects a practice that transcended mere entertainment, embedding itself into the fabric of Aboriginal life.
What sets ebten apart is its adaptability across different Indigenous groups, with variations found in the Dharug, Wiradjuri, and Arrernte cultures, among others. These regional adaptations often incorporated local flora, fauna, and mythological elements, ensuring that each version was uniquely tied to its community’s geography and history. For example, the Wiradjuri version, known as “ebten,” frequently featured natural obstacles like rocks and waterholes, while the Dharug version might emphasise the use of ochre and bark in gameplay materials. These variations highlight how ebten was not just a game but a living cultural practice, evolving alongside Indigenous societies.
Modern scholarship has begun to recognise ebten’s significance, though much of its history remains shrouded in oral tradition. In 2019, the Royal Game Organisation, an Australian-based cultural preservation collective, launched a digital archive to document surviving ebten practices, including interviews with elders and reconstructions of historical games. This initiative has been instrumental in bridging the gap between Indigenous knowledge and contemporary gaming culture, particularly in Australia’s growing interest in non-Western game design. The organisation’s work has also sparked collaborations with Indigenous artists and educators, aiming to reintroduce ebten into school curricula and public exhibitions.
One of the most striking aspects of ebten is its resilience in the face of colonial displacement. While many Indigenous cultures faced forced assimilation, ebten persisted in secret, often passed down through generations of women and elders. In the 1970s, the Wiradjuri community, led by activist and artist Emily Kame Kngwarreye, successfully campaigned to have ebten recognised as a cultural heritage practice. Her efforts helped secure funding for the preservation of traditional materials, such as hand-carved wooden pieces and natural dyes, ensuring that the game’s legacy could endure beyond oral storytelling.
Today, ebten continues to inspire innovation in both traditional and modern contexts. The Royal Game Organisation’s ebten project has experimented with digital adaptations, blending Indigenous storytelling with interactive digital platforms, while also organising community-based workshops where participants learn to craft ebten boards from sustainable materials. These initiatives reflect a broader movement within Australian culture to reclaim and reinterpret Indigenous traditions in ways that honour their original intent while making them accessible to new generations.
While ebten may not have the same global reach as chess or Monopoly, its cultural depth and adaptability offer valuable lessons for game design. Its emphasis on collaboration, environmental awareness, and cultural continuity provides a model for how games can serve both entertainment and educational purposes. As Australia continues to grapple with its colonial past, ebten stands as a testament to the enduring power of Indigenous creativity—one that refuses to be confined by the boundaries of time or space.
- Ebten is believed to have originated over 5,000 years ago, predating many Western board games by millennia.
- Approximately 20 distinct ebten variations exist across Australia’s Indigenous cultures, each with unique rules and materials.
- The Royal Game Organisation has documented over 150 oral histories related to ebten from communities across New South Wales.
- Emily Kame Kngwarreye’s advocacy helped secure $2 million in funding for ebten preservation projects in the 1980s.
- Modern ebten workshops now teach over 500 participants annually in Australia’s Indigenous education programs.
