Among their other many cultural gifts to the world, Native Americans contributed the game which later became known as Lacrosse. The Cherokee Ball Play vividly describes the ethnography of this sport with particular attention to its ritual significance.

This sport served as means of community social cohesion, an occasion for some big wagers, a surrogate for battle with other villages, and sounds like a great deal of fun. Many of the ceremonial aspects will be familiar to anyone involved with High School football. Some of the practices required a very high tolerance for pain. On a spiritual level the game is a magical battle between shamans, and the rituals and ceremonies used to gain advantage are of great interest.

Among their other many cultural gifts to the world, Native Americans contributed the game which later became known as Lacrosse. The Cherokee Ball Play vividly describes the ethnography of this sport with particular attention to its ritual significance.

This sport served as means of community social cohesion, an occasion for some big wagers, a surrogate for battle with other villages, and sounds like a great deal of fun. Many of the ceremonial aspects will be familiar to anyone involved with High School football. Some of the practices required a very high tolerance for pain. On a spiritual level the game is a magical battle between shamans, and the rituals and ceremonies used to gain advantage are of great interest.

Among their other many cultural gifts to the world, Native Americans contributed the game which later became known as Lacrosse. The Cherokee Ball Play vividly describes the ethnography of this sport with particular attention to its ritual significance.

This sport served as means of community social cohesion, an occasion for some big wagers, a surrogate for battle with other villages, and sounds like a great deal of fun. Many of the ceremonial aspects will be familiar to anyone involved with High School football. Some of the practices required a very high tolerance for pain. On a spiritual level the game is a magical battle between shamans, and the rituals and ceremonies used to gain advantage are of great interest.