Overview
Honors the culture that gave us the classic game of chef ni zhinn. In particular, it is on the site the Ganz Wra, the most important of the Awaswran social clubs.
All of us who have played the game of Chef ni Zhinn owe these craftsman a debt (or maybe it is the other way around—perhaps we should never forgive them!) for inventing such an addictive way to pass the time as they waited for their veneer to dry. Though the game has become popular because of the museum of the bench’s best-selling series of Museum of the Bench trading cards, and even in our linear world, computer downloads of it exceed Tetris and Solitaire in many areas, purists in this town prefer a wooden set—preferably full scale. In fact, as you drive around town you’ll see that some building in the Awaswran quarter still have their chef n zhinn courts. It is a kind of matching game similar to dominoes or Mah Jong. The game lasts until the winner holds only the mei zhinn chit OR his/her veneer dries first.
The plaque is on the site of the Ganz Wra, the most distinguished and important of the Awaswran social clubs. These clubs controlled the distribution of awaswrite–the rare mineral which was key to both the beautiful dark wood look of Awaswran benches got and the extremely irregular drying times of the veneer. Many feel the game developed as a way to keep the benchmakers attention on the drying point, because the distinctive look is best achieved the moment the veneer is ready for its final treatment. Though many of the clubs right on the town square were more powerful in certain ways and hosted lucrative tournaments, the most prestigious tournament (and indeed many felt the only one worth bragging about) was the one hosted by the Ganz Wra. One last note for visitors—beware the local drink.
Access
109 Washington
Gainesville, GA
It is right on the outside of the building.
Public Dedication
Dedicated the day of the Kymaerican Bus Tour. At the dedication ceremonies the sturdiness of the plaque changed our plans for the manner of site consecration.
This was Kcymaerxthaere installation #015 and the fourth in what we call the state of Georgia.
Text of the Marker
The part of the story installed here:
Benchmakers of Awaswra
This was the home of the Ganz Wra, the most respected of the bench maker social clubs, where experienced artisans gathered to drink tyiuo, the sour beverage that was a staple of Awaswran social life. It was the Ganz Wra, not any of the flashy wras on the town square, who controlled the distribution of awaswrite and had the honor of hosting the major chef ni zhinn tournaments.
Tyiou and Chef ni Zhinn
Glasses of the sour Awaswran beverage Tyiou ready to be served, and a game of Chef ni Zhinn underway.
Tyiou in glasses at the dedication.
Chef ni Zhinn demonstration.
Awaswran Bench card
An example of an Awaswran Bench as pictured on one of the Museum of the Bench Trading Cards.
“Awas Sewra” Museum of the Bench trading card.
Gallery
