Traditional Games: Unveiling Cultural, Social, and Political Aspects

Introduction

The concept of Culture binds different groups of human beings in unity. Throughout this class, we have discussed this aspect of Culture present in various forms. My trip to the Milwaukee Public Museum to analyze the Native Games exhibit allowed me to see these concepts in action in the form of the way of life of the Native Americans – the food they ate, the way they lived, and how Culture and its lessons were ever present even in their games.

The exhibit, as a whole, depicted that the various Native American tribes had a close relationship to nature and the earth. 

Body

Games as Cultural Reflections

They seemed to channel this relationship into parts of their everyday life. The Native Games exhibit, in particular, showcased how games were not only a form of entertainment but also served important social, ceremonial, and political purposes. In my paper, I aim to explain the different purposes of the Native Games and explain how they relate to the Culture and lifestyle of the Native Americans as a whole.

The exhibits presented many different games ranging from artifacts of team sports, such as lacrosse sticks and balls, to playing cards, dominoes, and cribbage boards. While the games served multiple purposes, it was explained that each one allowed the Native Americans to establish skills such as patience, endurance, sportsmanship, dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and critical thinking. The exhibit also showcased that the two dozen games displayed could be found across tribes in the United States and Canada. Each of these tribes was known to partake in games of skill and chance, racing and relay games, throwing and catching games, games that imitated hunting and war, and games that were played alone and those that were played with a group. The games of skill, in particular, took up a large portion of the games and were divided into five main types, which included archery, snowshoe, hoop and pole, ring and pin, and ball games. The games of chance included dice and guessing games, and the player to reach a set score first was the winner.

Beyond Entertainment: Social and Communal Bonds

The social aspect of the Native Games occurred by creating a communal atmosphere for socialization. A portion of the exhibit titled “Village Life,” in particular, struck me as it displayed the life of the Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico. In the display, members of society were seen partaking in various tasks, and one group of men, in particular, were seen playing a form of lacrosse. It was also explained that skilled players had an important status in society. The display demonstrated the important social aspect of these different games by showing that they were not only a form of entertainment but also a way in which their community came together and interacted.

The ceremonial aspect of the Native Games came in the form of traditions. There were certain games played by adults and children of both genders, and some were played only by one group or the other. While some games were simple past times, others were taken very seriously, drawing parallels to games in our society today. The games had many purposes and rituals that indicated the religious and spiritual beliefs of the Native Americans. The exhibit also explained that the origins of many games were with the tribal gods. Because of this, games were played ceremonially to bring rain, ensure good harvests, cure illness, expel evil spirits, or give pleasure to the gods by demonstrating physical fitness. Though many games are usually played for fun and pleasure, Native American games also play a role in education through the different skills children would learn. The ceremonies also indicated that boys and girls played separately, though
they often could play the same games with variations in the rules. For instance, there were certain traditional games that were forbidden to women, such as those involving the powers of hunting and warfare spirits.

Games as Ceremonial Expressions

In addition, girls often played “house,” sometimes with miniature tipis or igloos. They also had dolls made from various materials such as wood, grasses, corn husks, animal skin, or bone. The Native Americans also highly honored skilled athletes just as they would honor brave warriors. Many games played by men and boys served to train them in skills needed for warfare or hunting. These games helped test a boy’s skills for dexterity, agility, strength, and stamina. For instance, the Cherokee Indians referred to stickball games as “the little
brother of war.” In addition, many games were played with materials the Native Americans gathered from their surroundings, such as balls made of animal skin stuffed with grass or hair.

The political aspect of the Native Games took place as a way to resolve conflicts without going to war and an opportunity for political allies to stay in contact. However, another big a portion of politics came into play through gambling when European settlers arrived and joined in betting on their favorite players or teams. The different games also varied on the different tribes of Native Americans and the regions they lived in. For example, a few games played by the various tribes, including— the Dice and Bowl Games played by the Menominee tribe in Wisconsin, the Peach Stones game played by the Iroquois Confederacy in New York, the Staves played by the Blackfoot in Montana, the Grass Game played by the Promo tribe in California, the Moccasin Game, played by the Ho-Chunk tribe in Wisconsin, the Hidden Ball, played by the Tewa tribe in Arizona and the Counters, played by the Ho-Chuck tribe in Wisconsin. These
examples serve as just a few of the different games that arose in different regions of the country, showcasing a unique set of skills that distinguished various tribes and also explained the territory or the region that they were from.

Cultural Lessons: Continuity and Understanding

Concepts from our class that particularly jumped out during my visit included our lecture on Culture and what it consists of. In class, we discussed that Culture is distinctive and holistic, made of different parts that function together as an organized whole. Specifically, The Barrel. The model of Culture shows us that environment, infrastructure, social structure, and superstructure can make up a culture. Though the Native Games only represent a piece of the Native American Culture allows us to see that a culture rich in different ideologies, practices, and ceremonies is distinctly present and important to study and understand. It is crucial that we don’t overlook the history of our past and place close attention to the different cultures that have shaped our world.

Conclusion

Overall, it was striking to me that many of these games appeared so familiar and originated before European contact. The Native Games were much more than just a form of entertainment. They served key social, ceremonial, and political purposes that varied amongst the
different groups of Native Americans. The Native Americans played a key role in the history of this country, and aspects such as the Native Games are just small snapshots of their daily life that allow us to appreciate and understand their Culture and history.

References

1. “Games Children Play: How Games and Sport Help Children Develop” by Peter K. Smith and Thomas W. Keane

2. “Traditional Games: A Global Pastime” by Elaine Clow and Peter G. Epps

3. “Native American Games and Stories” by Joseph Bruchac

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