IN THE QUIRKS continued
but used their padded hips, elbows, knees, and shoulders. Players constantly threw themselves to the court’s surface to prevent the ball from hitting the ground. Injuries were common. On each side of the court, players used the stone walls to bounce
net. Fouls were given when a team could not get the ball over the centre line. As the game evolved, the Maya added a stone hoop at the cen-
tre of either wall that the ball could pass through. This stone ring through the hoop. In various versions of the game, target markers were also along the court, or players could gain points for talented plays.
pounds, and were 3 to 11 inches in diameter. Since they were sol- caused bruising. Players wore deerskin guards on their hips, thighs, chin, cheek, and hands. In fact, seven rubber balls were discovered Spanish conquistadors reported that ulama players were incessant- ly bruised, with some bruised so severely that their skin had to be lanced open. Hernando Cortes, the conquistador of the Aztec empire, was so
impressed with the ball players, that he took some back to Spain to these muscular athletic men likely thrilled the Europeans with their skill in hitting the rubber ball with their hips. Today’s pro sports illicit fervent emotion, but these ball games had
- thology, the game is tied to the story of the gods Vucub Hunahpu and Hun Hunahpu. These two brothers annoyed the gods of the underworld with their loud playing, so they were tricked into de- scending into Xibalba. Here, they were challenged to a ball game. custom that would continue for earthbound players who lost a game. It is also believed the religious nature of the sport helped divine
the sun’s destiny – guaranteeing the continued cosmic and univer- sal order. The games were perceived as a contest between the sun versus dark – and potentially the struggle between good and evil. Furthermore, the spin and movement of the ball represented the sun traveling across the sky. With religious connotations tied to the games, the losing team’s
carved into the stonework surrounding the courts. At the South ball court at El Tajin and at Chichen Itza – a relief panel illustrates two opposing teams of seven players, with one player being decapitated by the other captain, (or by a priest). At other courts, tzompantlis were installed (tzompantlis featured bars connected to wooden posts, and these bars were adorned with the skulls of severed heads). The Mayans even created a ball game, where captives on the opposing team, once vanquished in a game, were tied, used as “balls,” and callously rolled
in the world cannot be overstated. It was believed to help foretell the - enced religions, kings, and religions, for generations of dynasties. Interestingly, some historians dispute the decapitation happening
So, some historians contest that it was the winning team who lost lives. For the champions, this was considered the supreme honour. -
Yet the game could also be played for peace. Reportedly, during the
of Xochimilco. Similar to today, gambling was a common activity amongst the fans. In the Aztec empire, bets were wagered with anything from ornate feathers, to land, and even to children. Losers sometimes needed to sell rival kings wagered on the games. One story tells of two kings: one bet his market, the other bet his garden. The king betting his market lost, but the winning king was murdered when the losing side’s contingency garland; with a leather strangling cord concealed inside.
in the world cannot be overstated. It was believed to help foretell the - enced religions, kings, and religions, for generations of dynasties. FM
Glen Mikkelsen, CVE, is general manager of the CN Centre in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada.
Did You Know? of seven players used a solid rubber ball, and used only their hips to propel the ball.
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