A Note on the Current Status of Arin, a Yoruba Traditional Game Played with the Seeds of Dioclea Reflexa

One of the traditional games played among the Yoruba people of South Western Nigeria utilizes the seeds ofDioclea reflexa. An investigation into the current status of the game was conducted to determine the extent to which it is still played. Although results indicate that the game is still being played in the rural areas, it also shows that it is steeply decreasing in popularity. About 6.6% of respondents interviewed have never heard of the game, while about 77% have played, or still play the game. Overall 17% of all respondents, or 22% of those who have ever played, still play the game. About 26% of respondents are optimistic about the game surviving their generation. The decline in popularity is attributable to decreasing proportion of youths in rural areas due to rural-urban migration, emergence of computer games, and scarcity of the seeds. Cultivation of D. reflexa plant for the game, food and medicinal purposes is recommended.