Existing comment:
The Ballgame:
The ballgame played an important role in Maya ritual and warfare. In general, the ballcourt was a rectangular playing field with vertical or sloping walls on the two longer sides. It was perceived as a re-creation of the place where the Maize God was reborn. Balls were made of solid rubber and were struck by the elbows, wrists, or hips of the players. These areas were covered by leather pads. Although the precise rules for this ritual game are not known, in many cases the contest culminated in human sacrifice.
Xibalba:
The ballgame was ultimately related to Xibalba, the Maya Underworld governed by the Lords of Death. It was here that the Hero Twins demonstrated that resurrection and rebirth came through sacrifice, especially decapitation. Here also is where they outwitted the Lords of Death by tricking them into being sacrificed. Utlimately, the ballgame was the arena in which life and death, victory and defeat, triumph and rebirth, were played out. |