BUCCA
​The Cornish Maritime Game

SHOP

Demonstration:

​'Bucca is a sea-spirit in Cornish folklore, a merman, that inhabited mines and coastal communities as a hobgoblin during storms. The 'Tale of the Sea Bucca' describes the Bucca inhabiting Lamorna Cove with the dark brown skin of a conger eel and a tangle of seaweed for hair and given to swimming in the waves, lying in the sea caverns or sitting among the rocks with the birds.'
-(Traditional Cornish Stories and Rhymes, Lodenek Press, 1972)

Bucca is a maritime board game played between two players. The current form of the game emerged in Cornwall during the 21st century after evolving from Crimps and Adella, a similar but much older game of Portuguese origin.

"Players become the buccas sowing the fates of both their armadas. These fates are represented by the three tides that coaxe the ships. Galleons are drawn over the waves of the board and are subject to wrecking and enemy broadside. Like a sword duel, the timing of sea navigation is pivotal. Learning is simple. Mastering is infinate."
-Inventor
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Bucca is an abstract strategy game that invokes the principle of 'As above, so below'. It is played on a chest with 20 waves arranged in a four-by-four grid with two ports at either end. Bucca is played like piano duets, players seated side by side. At the start, both players place tides around the board and lay their ships. Throughout the game players use these tides to advance their fleet and simultaniously wreck their opponent's.

​For exhibitions, tournaments or sales contact Benreaderart@gmail.com.
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For school sessions click here.

Bucca concept and artwork are property of the artist.

CORNISH BUCCA © ​