Aztecs played a sport called Tachli that was a little like basketball and soccer. It had differences, for example, their "basketball hoop" was a vertically hung stone ring. Their "basketball" was a heavy solid rubber ball.
Aztecs believed Tachtli was the sport their gods played with the stars in the stadium of the heavens. Tachtli was replicated on earth in honor of the gods.
The winning team was allowed to take any possession from the spectators. The people of the audience would quickly escape before their clothes were taken away.
Worse than being in the audience, was being on the losing team. They were sacrificed. Aztec sports, like Tachtli, were made to honor and imitate Aztec gods.
Answered by
Jateen Gutta
, an ibibo Master,
at
4:14 PM on February 26, 2009
