What was the significance of the mayan ball game

Pitz was the alternative to war and a way to settle disputes of any kind. The game is played with a rubber ball that varied in size. The size of the court was symbolic to the affluence of city. The bigger the court, the more wealthy and powerful a city was. The game was played between two teams of five.

At each latitudinal end stood five men in the shape of a pentagon. The game is unique, because it is played with the hips. Exclusive to all other body parts in the rules of the game, the hips are used to make contact with the ball.

Because the ball used in the game could be heavy and weigh around 20 pounds, pitz players would use protective gear that would cover their hips and bear the contact with the ball. The protective cover around their hips was called a yoke. They also wore knee and elbow pads, to protect them when the game required positions for hitting the ball other than standing that would require them to fall to the ground to get to ground level to hit the ball. With traditions, come great stories.

According to Mayan history, this game is said to have been played by the Gods — specifically the Maize gods.

As legend would have it, Maize Gods played frequently. In the book of Popol Vuh, there is a struggle between them and Gods of the underworld. When the maize God is killed his saliva falls onto her hand, and the daughter, Hun-Hunahpu becomes pregnant with two sons, later known as the Hero Twins. Besides games just for fun and athletics, ceremonial games carried a great deal of religious significance, acting out the creation myth, or keeping the sun and moon in their accustomed orbits.

While modern readers may put much weight on at such a reason, to the Maya it was a matter of life and death and one of the reasons for human sacrifice. The gods needed human blood and hearts to keep the sun and moon in orbit.

Some ball games were played to resolve bitter disputes between rival cities or as a proxy for war. The Maya also saw the game as a battle between the gods of death and the gods of life or between good and evil. They also saw it as a reminder of the Hero Twins, who overcame death and became demi-gods themselves.

Thus, the game symbolizes regeneration and life. This article is part of our larger resource on the Mayans culture, society, economics, and warfare. The Mayan Ballgame is a fascinating experience, filled with ritual importance.

You can enjoy an interpretation of this ceremony at the Xcaret Mexico Espectacular show. Your email address will not be published. Maygheen Tortolero. Next 10 Authentic dishes of Mexican gastronomy.