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= Mahjong Culture =

Mahjong culture, refers to the various practices encompassing the game Mahjong, a game based on tiles that originated from Southern China toward the end of the Qing Dynasty in the mid 1800s. The game has evolved throughout the centuries, such that it has been played in different parts of the world with various beliefs and cultures. Throughout its evolution, the game has also been said to beneficial for social engagement and intellectual stimulation.



China
The game Mahjong was created in 1846 by an imperial servant named Chen Yumen., who was an excellent card player and talented diplomat from the city of Ningbo. His idea of the game was inspired from several card games from more than twelve hundred years ago. It started with the game yehtzu pai which was later named ya pai, a card game composed of 32 cards made of ivory or wood. The cards were the comparable to the size of regular playing cards but the appearance was more like of the mahjong tiles. The rules of the game continue to evolved and was later named ma tiao which composed of 40 cards with four suits and were numbered from one to nine with 4 bonus cards. The game became very popular in China as it became a form of distraction to people when the imperial empire was replaced by a republic.

United States
Mahjong evolved in the United States during the years of depression, war and post war expansion. National, regional and community forms were organized discretely. Because of this, the National Mahjong League was created and the members created a national version of the international Chinese game. Mahjong manufacturers moved form China to the plastic fabricating shops in New York City and the development of these factories allowed American mahjong to be more renowned in the domestic industry.

Great Britain

Mahjong was introduced in Great Britain in 1923 and became very popular. The British did not divert much from the rules introduced by China. It is only played a bit differently and with notional money.

Netherlands
Mahjong was introduced to the Netherlands in the 1920s and followed the Babcock rules introduced by Joseph Babcock. Mahjong Dutch Association was also founded in 2004.

Philippines
The Chinese brought a lot of influence to the Filipinos when it comes to Mahjong. Filipinos love to play Mahjong in gatherings like attending to wakes or even just an ordinary gathering of friends and families.

Social Benefits
Mahjong promotes social engagement which improves cognition, attention and memory, especially in the elderly population. Wellness mahjong allows gives the elderly an opportunity to expand their interesting social interactions and well as to maintain a healthy life by exercising the cognitive function of the brain.