Summer 2022 · Torch: U.S. · THE HISTORY OF LUDI AND OLYMPIKA
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And last but not least:
basketball. Once
again, the follis becomes a hot topic. Its lightweight and air-filled nature not only resembles volleyballs but also basketballs. Yet, there are even earlier indications and ruins of basketball-like games that the Aztecs and other Mesoamerican civilizations left behind. Archaeologists have uncovered massive ball courts comparable to modern day football fields and accompanying rubber balls dating back to 1500 BC. The courts were shaped like the letter “I” with each team at a base and the middle stretch being the playing field. Players had to move the rubber ball by skillfully substituting other body parts for the prohibited hands and feet. There were many variations of the game depending on region, but the one most similar to modern basketball involved each team trying to get the rubber ball through stone hoops along the walls of the court. In some societies, players would be sacrificed after the games, but fear not, all Ludi players will return home unharmed.
BASKETBALL
Ancient Mesoamerican ball court and hoop.
As we approach the long awaited summer and even longer awaited return to in-person convention, consider signing up for several Ludi and Olympika events. Many of these sports may be extremely competitive and cutthroat among clubs or high schools, but at convention we all play for fun! States combine to form teams, everyone is friendly, and most importantly, delegates get to try out events they’ve never done before and meet new people from all over the nation. The Wisco Ludi powerhouse will be there, so game on!
For more information on Ludi and Olympika events and rules,
To view the works cited,
ULL Olympika Swimming Pool
