Dr. James Naismith gets modern credit for the game of basketball. After completing the YMCA Physical Director training in 1891, Naismith who later earned his physicians degree struggled with rowdy class that was confined indoors. It is said that basketball is the result of a blizzard, one a particularly nasty day Naismith hung two peach baskets up from the balcony, formed teams and the play began. The goal was to put the ball in the basket, with no rules, pushing, shoving and other aggressive tactics actually were causing harm. Not to mention each time someone made a basket the custodian had to get the ladder to retrieve the ball. Rules were created, dribbling became the way to move the ball and the bottoms of the baskets were removed. The first time in the Olympics was in 1936. Over 100 years later this is one of the most popular games on the planet.
Not to take away from the American game that was created by a native Canadian but this game had some predecessors. If you guessed we owe this game to Mesoamerica, you would be correct. The sport dates back to 1500 BC. The Olmec, Aztecs and Mayans all played versions of a team game on a court with cyclical goals being the target for the ball. The word ullamaliztli, is derived from the word for “rubber”—Ollie and the verb ollama or “to play ball.” The ball was called the ollamlaloni and the ball court was called the tlachtli. The game was rough and did not allow the use of hands, the ball was propelled with feet, hips, knees, elbows and the head and could not touch the ground. The ball represented the movement of the sun across the sky and had to be kept moving at all times. To score the ball had to pass through one of the two cylinders in the court. The games drew crowds. Although the rules changed somewhat with the cultures, the Maya game used a heavy rubber ball and a 30 foot high ring, the penalty for losing in Ancient Mayan culture was “death.” Now that was pressure.
I was fascinated by the Olmec civilization. History tells us the Olmec’s flourished on the Gulf of Mexico from 1500 BC to 400 BC. The name comes from Aztec word meaning the “rubber people.” The Olmec formulated rubber for their use, including the balls for the game which were made bouncy by adding morning glory vines. They are best known for their carvings of colossal stone heads weighing over 20 tons, thrones, stela and statues. They were the first Mesoamerican people to fathom the concept of zero, develop a calendar, and create a hieroglyphic writing system. They also credited for the discovery of the first conduit drainage system known in the Americas. Control of water allowed them to focus on agriculture. Their use of stone also made them them America’s first city builders. They were first to make chocolate from the native cacao plant. The Olmecs studied astronomy and developed a system of writing and mathematics. They were the first Mesoamerican culture to build pyramids. The Olmecs are considered by many scholars as the “mother culture of the region.” The Olmec and Mayans were polytheistic, worshiping multiple gods. The Olmec Jaguar God was a very important figure.
The populations of the Aztec people were not decimated by the guns of the Spanish Conquistadors. The European invaders brought disease to Mexico. Historians believe that smallpox overwhelmed the unprepared immune systems of the Aztec people. In a five year period it is estimated that 20 million Aztecs contracted and died from the disease. It was not until 1796 that Jenner demonstrated a vaccine that eventually led to global vaccination effort in the 20th century. The vaccination protocol eradicated smallpox. This was a bit late for the Aztecs and many others. I struggle with those in our country who argue against vaccination for COVID or wearing a mask to protect others. History seems to repeat itself.
Our world lost a remarkable husband, father, grandfather, friend and noble spirit this week. Rich Holm passed away suddenly in his beloved McCall. Join me in offering condolences to Ellen and his exceptional family.
All these years later, Hank played in his first YMCA basketball game. He shoots he scores. Stay safe. Mike
Ullamaliztli
