Mexico Revives Ancient Games

This article from USA Today, Mexico Revives Ancient Games, describes Mexico's efforts to renew interest in prehispanic sports. Numbers of players has been dwindling over the centuries and many are in danger of dying out. Among barriers to the widespread playing of the games is that many are dangerous or painful, such as pelota purépecha which is like field hockey with a flaming ball. Also, the games are associated with Indian culture, and most Mexicans favor European culture. Ballgames were very important in Prehispanic culture. The mayan story of creation is of the first two humans created were challenged by the gods of the underworld. The humans lost the game and were killed, but were then turned into the sun and the moon. Now the Mexican government is trying to promot the games among the younger generation. Seminars are being held to teach the games to elementary school teachers. The government doesn't want children to forget the indiginous culture of Mexico in favor of foreign influences.

This article reflects societal cleavages within Mexico, specifically the racial one. As more and more people prefer European to Indian culture, Mexican traditions are disappearing. However, Mexico has always strvied to blend their indiginous and Hispanic cultures, as reflected in their drvies to upkeep indiginous games.