Barnga: A Simulation Game on Cultural Clashes - 25th Anniversary Edition

This is a very simple game that everyone has enjoyed playing and learning from. The book offers many lead-ins for facilitators, and offers ways to 'tweak' the discussions to make them appropriate/relevant for many groups. Probably the best game out there to illustate the themes of culture shock and 'checking your assumptions'.

I'm a college professor who also does diversity training. I use BARNGA in my corporate trainings as well as in my college classroom. Everyone loves it! The simulation is an excellent way of driving home the idea that every environment (an institution, a business, a classroom) has unwritten rules that we assume have been communicated to the uninitiated. When the new person experiences problems, we all too often attribute the problem to a lack of skills rather than to a lack of knowledge about the "rules." This game is a great deal of fun and allows the facilitator to engage the participants in some serious discussion afterward about diversity. Excellent! Get it today! You won't be sorry.

I was first introduced to BARNGA by playing the game at a diversity conference held in the Bay Area, CA. I was surprised at how ruthless and unforgiving I was to the people who entered my little community. I made them play my way and never took the time to understand their point of view or the rules that they knew. I am a student, 18 years old and i wish this concept had been introduced to me earlier. I didn't think that I had any prejudices but I do and BARNGA made me realize them.

Barnga is what I call a simple yet elegant learning tool. Though the title of this simulation-game suggests that it is a simulation on cultural clashes, one can feel free to define the term "culture" quite broadly. I have used Barnga for years to help groups understand cultural diversity issues, conflict resolution styles, mental models and paradigms, and most recently the human responses to change acceptance. If you are a business/O.D. consultant, H.R. professional or a manager charged with helping a group of people to become more effective, Barnga is likely to be one of the best learning tool you'll ever own!