Native American Play, Games, and Sport - Essay Example

Traditionally, history suggests that Native American games were inseparable from their religions according to the history of their religion they create stories that mostly involved contests between two opposing twin gods which were armed with clubs bow and arrows. Hence they used these games as a replay of the stories told that offered recreation and also gambling opportunity. These games were divided into two categories where there existed chance and skills games or dexterity the community used these games not only for the young generation’s amusement but also for a venue where they could learn, gain improve skills and also sharpen their senses.

The winners who won these games were highly respected in the tribe. Traditionally, Native Americans are believed to the inventors of most games and sports which included lacrosse. Team games, which the young played always taught cooperation and also encouraged social interaction within tribes and also with other tribes (Krech,107-110).Among those games played by the Native Americans was lacrosse also called, the little brother of war or even be gateway depending on the given tribe. However, these games have seen some improvements, but it is still played even today.

Lacrosse developed from AD1100 WHICH WAS played by 100- 1,000 men on a field that stretched from 500 meters to 3kilometrles long it lasted from sunrise to sundown which would even take two to three days this game was invented and played as part of a ceremonial ritual that was used to symbolize warfare to give gratitude and thanks to the creator (Krech, 107-110).The players who took part were informed of warriors with the aim of bringing glory and honor to the tribes as well as themselves Lacrosse has similarities to both basketball and hockey however, in lacrosse a game clock dictates the length of the game and scoring determines who wins and who loses.

The game had four quarters each having fifteen play minutes. Contact sports were the men's version of the sport that requires padding such as shoulder pads, gloves, helmets, rib gourds elbow pads, and a cup while the girl/women game limits stick contact and also prohibits body contact hence less preventive equipment (Greenough, 45-67).As opposed to soccer, the game does not end in ties if the two team time extra time called sudden death is allocated and during this time the first team to score is awarded the win.

This is a very entertaining game that requires the full involvement of the player where they use much of their strength and skills to play the game. Suggestively, the tribes had a strong belief in their creator, which made them invent a game to show gratitude for being created. The game vividly shows the great religious attribute which is associated with the Native Americans