Ancient

Maya Ball Game – Pok ta Pok

Vol. 27/ Issue 2/ 1985

THE RUBBER BALL GAME

A Universal Mesoamerican Sport

By Christopher Jones

An Eyewitness Account

“It was a highly entertaining game and amusement for the people, especially–for those
who held it to be a pastime or entertainment. Among them there were those who
played it with such skill and cunning that in one hour the ball (lid not stop bouncing
from one end to the other, without a miss, [the players] using only their buttocks [and
knees], never touching it with the hand, foot, calf, or arm. Both teams were so alert in
keeping the ball bouncing that it was amazing. If watching a handball game among
Spaniards gives us such pleasure and amazement on seeing the skill and lightness
with which sonic play it, how much inure are to be praised those who with such
cunning, trickery, and nimbleness play it with their backsides or knees! It was
considered a foul to touch [the ball] with the hand or any other part of the body except
the parts I have mentioned buttocks and knees. Through this demanding sport
excellent players were formed, and, aside From being esteemed by the sovereigns,
they were given notable dignities, were made intimates of the royal house and court,
and were honored with special insignia.

Many a time have I seen this game played, and to find out why the elders still extol it
[1 asked them] to play it in the ancient way. But the most important [factor] was
lacking, namely the enclosure where the contest took place, within which it was
played, and the rings through which they cast and passed the hail. And it was a foolish
insistence of mine to try to see today something which existed in ancient times. as
different as the real thing from a picture. So that we can understand its form and begin
to appreciate the skill and dexterity with which this game was played, it must be noted
that ball courts existed in all the illustrious, civilized. and powerful cities and towns,
in those ruled by either the community or the lords, the latter stressing [the game] in-
ordinately. A regular competition existed between the two types of communities. [The
ball courts] were enclosed with ornate and handsomely carved walls. The interior
door was of stucco. finely polished and decorated with figures of the god and demons
to whom the game was dedicated and whom the players held to be their patrons in
that sport. These hall courts were larger in sonic places than in others. They were built
in the shape that can be seen in the illustration: narrow in the middle and wide at the
ends. The corners were built on purpose so that if the player’s ball fell into one it was
lost and was considered a find. The height of the wall was anywhere between eight
and eleven feet high, running all around [the court]. Because of heathen custom,
around [the wall] were planted wild palms or trees, which give red seeds, whose wood
is soft and light. Crucifixes and carved images are made of it today. The surrounding
walls were adorned with merlons or stone statues, all spaced out. [These places]
became filled to bursting when there was a game of all the lords, when warlike
activities ceased. owing to truces or other causes, thus permitting (the games).

The ball courts were anywhere between one hundred, one hundred fifty, and two
hundred feet long. In the square corners (which served as ends or goals) a great
number of players stood on guard to see that the ball did not penetrate. The main
players stood in the center facing the ball, and so did the opponents since the game
was carried out similarly to the way they fought in battle or in special contests. In the
middle of the walls of this enclosure were fixed two stones facing one another, and
each had a hole in the center. Each hole was surrounded by a carved image of the
deity of the game. Its face was that of a monkey.

…One team put the ball through the hole of the stone on one side while the other side
was used by the other team. The first to pass its ball through [the hole] won the prize.
These stones also served as a division, for between them, on the floor, was a black or
green stripe. This was done with a certain herb and no other, which is a sign of pagan
belief. The ball always had to be passed across this line to win the game, because if
the ball, projected by the backsides or by the knee, went bouncing along the floor and
passed the stripe the width of two fingers, no fault was committed; but if it did not
pass, it was considered a foul play. The man who sent the ball through the stone ring
was surrounded by all. They honored him, sang songs of praise to him, and joined
him in dancing. He was given a very special reward of feathers or mantles and
breech-cloths, something highly prized. But what lie most prized was the honor
involved: that was his great wealth. For he was honored as a man who had vanquished
many and had won a battle.” (Duran 1971:313-315)