'The game of life, the game of death' - Mexicans keep ancient pre-Hispanic game alive
Record ID:
1426530
'The game of life, the game of death' - Mexicans keep ancient pre-Hispanic game alive
- Title: 'The game of life, the game of death' - Mexicans keep ancient pre-Hispanic game alive
- Date: 9th August 2019
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) "PELOTA" PLAYER, JENNIFER CLAVELLINAS, SAYING: "And, yes, you do get hurt, definitely. I've been banged on the hip, had bruises that turned black, green and blue. But, it doesn't matter when you like it. You start realizing, start understanding that it doesn't matter if you get hurt. The important thing is to try again, use your will power, and give it everything, and share." VARIOUS, PLAYERS FACE BEING PAINTED VARIOUS, PLAYERS PUTTING ON PROTECTIVE WRAPPING (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) "PELOTA" PLAYER, GERARDO ORDAZ, SAYING: "Spiritually I feel it as a balance between good and evil, and passing the ball is like the balance between good and evil. Balance and harmony comes from passing in the game of 'Pelota.'" PLAYER THROWS BALL OUT ON COURT VARIOUS, PLAYERS ATTEMPTING TO SCORE BY PUTTING BALL THROUGH STONE CIRCLE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) "PELOTA" PLAYER, EMMANUEL KAKALOT, SAYING: "It's hard because of the strikes on your hip, and the weight of the ball, and the length of the court - it's 40 meters by five wide (131 by 16 feet). So, it's difficult, you have to have a lot of technique, you have to train a lot, lots of patience, lots of resistance, too, because the ball is very heavy, it hurts the first months." VARIOUS, PLAYERS USING THEIR HIPS TO PASS BALL BACK AND FORTH POV SHOT OF PLAYER ON COURT PLAYERS ON COURT
- Embargoed: 23rd August 2019 20:42
- Keywords: game Pre Colombian Maya sacrifice Mesoamerican Aztec tradition pelota sport Pre Hispanic Ulama Mexico
- Location: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
- City: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
- Country: Mexico
- Topics: Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA003ARHZF43
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The ancient, pre-Hispanic game of "Pelota" has been brought back to life in Mexico City where dozens of enthusiasts of this ritual sport gather each evening to practice it on the first ball court constructed in the Mexican capital in modern times.
Mondays to Fridays at 6:00 p.m. "Pelota" players congregate on a 40 by five meter (131 by 16 feet) court where they split into teams of five against five to pass a heavy ball made of natural rubber back and forth using only their hips.
The court is oriented east to west to mimic the movement of the sun and the game is accompanied by ceremonies that include the blowing of conch shells, drum playing, dancing, and the burning of incense and resin.
This modern version of the game is also known as "Ulama" and ball weight differs by group: 2.8 kilos (6 lbs) for the men's game, 2.4 kilos (5.3 lbs) for women, and 1.5 (3.3lbs) for children.
The weight of the ball makes it common for players to head home after matches with bumps, bruises and sore spots. Players do wrap their hips and waists with cloth and suede to provide some protection.
Players say after a while they don't mind the bumps and bruises and that the game has its own special reward.
"Spiritually I feel it as a balance between good and evil, and passing the ball is like the balance between good and evil. Balance and harmony comes from passing in the game of 'Pelota,'" said player Gerardo Ortiz.
(Production: Roberto Ramirez, Rodolfo Pena Roja) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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