"ullamalitzi", the ancient ball game played in Central America by the indiginous - HOW do you play it?

Question

Here's what I know, in addition to what others have said here on Answers, is that it was played a field comparable to a modern day soccer field; stone walls stood lenghwise the court, with a ring in each wall. The ball used was abt 8 lbs, rubber, abt basketball size.

Ball can't touch ground and hands cannot be used. Only elbows, hips, head, and knees may be used to touch ball.

My question: What does opposing team do while on field? What are the rules of the game? How was it played?

I got above info from an article in a Spanish 3 textbook and I'd like to recreate the game with my students.

Also, who was beheaded / sacrificed?

Gracias.

Answer 1

don't!

IT'S VERY DANGEROUS!

YOU CAN TACKLE!

THE LOSING TEAM WAS SACRIFICED!

Answer 2

The losing team was beheaded, and all I know other than that is what you already said. If you are playing this with your Spanish class, instead of beheading half of your class, you could make them do push ups or something.

Answer 3

Actually, I believe the winners were sacrificed, unless I am thinking of the wrong indigenous Mayan game, or the wrong indigenous group...If I remember correctly, the Maya used to play a game where the first team to get the ball through the hoop won, and were sacrificed for the harvest.  The Maya believed in reincarnation, so death wasn't a punishment.  They believed that humans grew back the same way corn did, so to speak, and that was also the reason why the sacrifice was supposed to help the harvest.  I would do research somewhere other than Yahoo Answers, if I were you, because I don't want to accidentally give you the wrong facts. Good luck in your learning!