The Ballgame

The Ballgame, also known as Mesoamerican ballgame, refers to an ancient sport played by various civilizations in pre-Columbian America, including the Aztecs and Maya. Players used a rubber ball and aimed to pass it through stone hoops or hit markers on walls, all while adhering to specific rules. Beyond recreation, the game held deep cultural significance, often symbolizing themes of life, death, and the cosmos. Matches could also be linked to ritualistic practices, sometimes involving human sacrifice, reflecting social, political, and religious aspects of the participating societies. The sport showcased athleticism and served community purposes.