Soccer or Football? Neither!
You may have thought this article is a pissing contest on whether it should be named soccer or football–some have tried extensively to argue one name over the other. Although none of them go far as back as the similar game of Pok-a-Tok. It sounds like a Chinese microwaveable meal, but it was a Mayan game that is similar to present day soccer/football & basketball but the difference is… it’s terrifying
The Mayan people ruled over Mesoamerica estimated as far as back as 8000 BC all the way to the late 17th century with much variation in strength in between. Their civilization have existed for so long in this region of Modern day Mexico/Central America that they have 3 periods dedicated to them named Archaic, Classic and Postclassic and many sub-periods in between these. Their civilization was said to be very advanced for the time, particularly during the classic period (250AD to 1000 AD) and of course many elements of this can be found in the pyramids, tunnels, canals, roads, observatories, sculptures and their complex calendar system throughout the Yucatan Peninsula (good thing they got that calendar wrong though, am I right!?). In fact, the ethnicity of the Maya people still exist today in this region of 5 Mexican states and in Guatemala & Belize.
It’s really a deep rabbit whole that you can head down and the most fascinating aspect is that there remains so much unknown about their civilization, especially about the civilizations that existed before them (Olmecs)!
Anyway, like you, they liked a good game of sport to pass the time & they liked hanging out in the Riviera Maya. I know you have your jerseys, your autographs, your trophies, your season tickets but maybe you weren’t a die-hard fan like they were. You’ll see what I mean in a moment…
The game is called Pok-a-Tok, or the Meso American Ball game. It’s played somewhat similar to soccer, where they had to get the ball through a hoop. Rather than a mesh net like basketball, it was a vertically-placed hoop (a hula hoop tilted 90 degrees). They used a hard rubber ball (I’m told it was VERY hard) ranging between 5 and 8 pounds and would strike this ball to try to get it through the hoop which was sometimes greatly suspended in the air. Sound easy?
“Yeah I mean, it’s like quidditch in Harry Potter”. The catch is they were only permitted to use their hips, elbows and their thighs to strike the ball. Games would last a long time–their popcorn guy in the stands was often exhausted, too. Many variations of the game were developed and played by other cultures thereafter.
But what do I mean they were a better die-hard fan that you; NOBODY knows your team like you. Well, I mean it literally.
While it’s thought that this game was played for fun (probably to practice!), this was a sort-of ritualistic game game to solve disputes between tribes or high-ranking men during times of conflict. The losing member or entire team was killed. It was viewed less-so of a punishment for the losers as it much as it was a sacrificial ceremony for the gods to grant the winning side good fortune (tell that to the losers though). Sacrificing the losing team to a god may have meant a rewardable gift in the form of water for their crops, healthiness, free from disease or the sun to shine (depending on the god, of course). The killing was almost always done by decapitation.
According to my research, it was not uncommon for the winners to be sacrificed, too. It was thought that ‘it would be an honour to be chosen and worthy of sacrifice’ to the gods. The Maya believed your family will be gifted riches, food, sustenance both now and into the afterlife because of you. So, it was truly a deadly game regardless of the outcome. Even with the size of the heavy ball it was often fatal for ordinary casual players and youth. And if that doesn’t scare you, it is even rumoured that the next game would be played with the heads of the sacrificed team
Death very much remains a key factor in Mexican culture today (Diá de los muertos is huge in Mexico) and while it’s believed that more human sacrifices occurred under Aztec rule, they certainly existed in Mayan culture as well.
Let me know if you’re wanting more Mayan-themed content & please share this interesting yet scary game on social media! Maybe we can get a National Pok-a-Tok League (NPTL) going–but…
Let’s leave out the human sacrifice part.
#StayOnTheBall
