Question

1. What are some of the characteristics of Native American sport?

2. In what ways did religion affect the growth of sport in the early American colonies?

Answer 1

Native American sport :

Native Americans played games as part of tribal ceremonies and also to teach skills to children through these games. Games were played ceremoniously to bring luck like rain, good harvests, drive away evil spirits, or just bring people together for a common purpose. Boys and girls played separately. Native Americans appreciated the skill, talent, and discipline. Girls learned about childcare while games for boys and were aimed at helping them learn about warfare and hunting. The games were either a game of chance or games of skill. Chance involved luck while skill games involved physical and mental abilities. At the end of the day, enjoyment was crucial so was learning. Winners were rewarded and admired.

Native games are more than just games. They build body and spirit through exercise and are played by all age groups—children, youth, and adults. Many games have roots in ancestral tests of strength and sport that reinforced group cooperation and sharpened survival skills in often hostile environments. For warriors, the games helped maintain their readiness and combat skills between times of war.

Native Americans are known for many different qualities they had as a part of their lifestyle. The games and sports they created to play that are now used in today’s society, lacrosse being the most famous.

Lacrosse

Lacrosse was and still is a famous game in America. Highly popular among the Native American games, lacrosse involved passing a ball using sticks with nets attached at the end. The game was popular that it could last from dusk to dawn. Apart from entertainment, the game was at times used to toughen young warriors and also settle disputes among tribes. The brutality of play could cause injury to the players.

The Bowl Game

This game was a favorite among the Iroquois, especially during the Midwinter Festival. The game involved six white balls on one side and black on the other white along with a wooden bowl. With the nuts inside the bowl, the player would hit the bowl against the ground. If at least 5 of the balls ended up the same color, that particular earned a point. It was a game of chance. Played to teach the players that it is good to work and struggle to achieve your dream.

Ring The Stick Game

The ring the stick game is one of the most popular Native American games played by children. Children tied a string at the end of the stick, and a ring on the end of the string. The player would toss the ring in the air and try catching it with the sharp side of the stick. The game was important in teaching children about the importance of having a goal, or a dream, and the importance of hand-eye coordination.

The Butterfly Hide And Seek

The game was a very quiet game played by little girls. A girl would close her eyes and sing "Butterfly, butterfly, show me where to go." The rest would hide quickly but quietly. The singer then had to seek the other girls without another word. It was a game of skill, and the skilled girl could identify the hiding place by following the marks left by those in concealment.