Watch: Maya ball games
Jade Skirt: Look鈥 this is the Ball Game!
We call it a game, bit it is actually very serious.
It can be used to settle arguments between different towns.
We have a great legend about the ball game. Having already been on many adventures, outwitting powerful villains, two twins Hunahpu and Xbalanque challenged the Lords of the Underworld to a ball game, in order to avenge the death of their father.
After many challenges, they cleverly overcame the rulers of Xibalb谩.
Once their heroic quest was complete they rose into the sky and became the sun and moon.
The players must keep the ball moving by hitting it with their hips. But they must not cross the centerline!
Different towns have different rules, but here the aim is to get the ball to the other end of the court.
Crowd: [CHEERS]
Jade Skirt: We have a winner!
Crowd: [APPLAUSE]
Jade Skirt: As a sign of respect to the gods, one of the losing team will now be sacrificed.
Crowd: [CHEERS]
Jade Skirt: Oohhh, grrr!
What was pitz?
One of the many things the ancient Maya are remembered for is their ball game, which they called pitz.
- This game is more than 3,000 years old.
- 300 courts have been found, and they were in the shape of a capital 鈥楲鈥.
Maya ball courts
Image caption, Take a look at some of the different Maya ball courts from around the Maya world.
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Pitz rules
Why did they play pitz?
The ball game was not played for enjoyment.
The main reason was to keep the gods happy.
People believed that the game was played instead of going to war.
Human sacrifice was probably part of the games, with perhaps the losing captain or captured kings sacrificed to the gods.
Activities
Activity 1: Quiz 鈥 Maya games
Activity 2: History Explorer game
Play this game to test your knowledge and learn even more facts about the ancient Maya.
History Explorer: Secrets through time
History Explorer: Secrets through time: KS2 History
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