Mayan Ball Game

1. Mayan Ball Game

2. Pok-a-tok • Dates back to around 3000 BC • Olmecs, Mayans and Aztecs

4. Very sacred to the Mayans • Reenactment of the Mayan myth of the Hero Twins • Most key cities in Mesoamerica had a ballcourt as part of their ceremonial center • Extension of their religion / polytheistic

5. Illustration of the Maya Ballgame

6. Facts • The players were working as a team to beat another team of players • The goal was to get the ball through a hoop • The goal was also NOT to touch the ball with one's hands, like soccer is today. • Huge structures were built just for playing • The games attracted very large numbers of people to watch • Gambling on who would win was common

8. More facts • 2 to 11 players per team • Rubber ball 6 to 20 inches in diameter • Weighs around 5 lbs • Game ends when ball goes through ring or ball hits ground. • What happens to winners? • Sacrifice

9. Ball Court at Chichén Itzá

10. Ball Court at Chichén Itzá

11. Ball Court of Coba

12. Ballcourt in Uxmal

13. Ballcourt in Uxmal

15. Yolk Examples

16. Re-enactment