The Games the Indians Played

by Sigmund A. Lavine

Hollywood and television "westerns" have created a false image of the American Indian. The original inhabitants of the New World were not only interested in finding food and warring on their neighbors. Actually, the redman - who invented lacrosse - spent much of his time playing games and competing in sports. While gambling on the outcome of these contests was commonplace, both the rules of that governed them and the ceremonies engaged in by the players stemmed from religious beliefs.
Certain Indian games were simple diversions - jackstraws, cat's cradle, guessing games, and games of chance. Others, played on ice or specially designed courts, were complicated. The ball game of Central American tribes combined the action of modern basketball, football, soccer, and volley ball. This extremely dangerous sport was played in stone stadiums laid out so that every spectator had a full view of the playing field. (from inside cover)

93 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1974