Native American Game of Cahokia
Although ancient peoples did not have phones or electronics like us, they still wanted to be entertained and wanted to play quick and easy games. In the past we have explored games played in ancient Rome– like Rota, the Roman version of Tic-Tac-Toe. Now, we will take a look at Native American games played by the people of Cahokia.
For those of you do not know, Cahokia is the site of a huge North American city dating back almost 1,000 years. It is located outside St. Louis and was most prosperous during the Mississippian period. You can learn more about the people of Cahokia by making the Birdman Tablet Culture Craft. The picture bellow shows us what Cahokia might have looked like 1000 years ago. The people created tall mounds and then placed important religious and government buildings on top of them. Today, all that is left are the mounds themselves.
At Cahokia, games involving sticks were discovered. These games included a stick tossing, where you had to catch a leather ring on a stick. You can see an example in the picture on the right.
Sports were also played at Cahokia. One particularly important sport was called Chunkey. In Chunkey, a stone –called the chunkey– is rolled through a plaza while competitors try to hit the stone with spears. Whoever hits the stone, or gets closest to where it stops, wins! It is possible that this game was so significant to Cahokian culture that it actually played a role in the politics of the tribe.
Unfortunately, because this sport involves a spear, it is hard to make a craft for it, but we will teach you to play another easy stick game.
Supplies:
- A pile of twigs or sticks, small enough you can fit several in your hand
Directions:
Place one stick on the back of your hand, flip it into the air and try to catch it.
After you catch one stick, a second and try to catch it as well.
If you catch two sticks, add a third.
Keep adding and catching sticks until you fail to catch the sticks.
Challenge a friend and see who can catch more sticks without dropping them.
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