Native American Games
Historic records associated with early European contact with Native Americans indicate that a variety of games were being played throughout the United States. There is similarities among many of the games played in various places. Game principles developed from tribe to tribe and raw materials which the games were made of changed from place to place, reflecting the differences in accessible resources. The purpose of the games likewise evolved depending on the tribe as well as the region. Many games were played by certain people (men or women only), or were played at certain times of the year, while many were related to spiritual activities, ceremonies, or celebrations.
Games served a variety of purposes from religious to amusement and were a means for children to learn necessary skills. Games stimulated social interaction inside the tribe and with other tribes. Betting on games furnished an opportunity for the redistribution of material wealth, both within and outside the tribe.Thousands of games were enjoyed by Indigenous Peoples throughout the United States and some are still being played today. Most games can be separated into two categories; games of dexterity along with games of chance.
Games of dexterity usually involved some type of physical skill while games of chance usually incorporated "dice-like" items or are games with a component centered on guessing. Games of dextrity involve the physical abilities of any player(s). Specialized hand-eye coordination is reflected with games, like archery, chunkey, and snow snake that involve shooting or throwing at a moving or stationary target. Good hand-eye coordination is likewise necessary for games such as ring and pin toss. Other games, such as the complicated ball games of lacrosse or double ball, involve dexterity and stamina.Examples of games of dextrity included archery, chunkey and snow snake.
Games of chance can be separated into two categories, those involving guessing and those using a type of dice that are thrown to obtain a random score. Guessing games was comprised of either hiding an object or guessing numbers. Games of chance use dice showing a variety of decorations and were made from materials like bone, shells, peach and plum stones, grains of corn and pottery disks. Scores were usually recorded with sticks or twigs. Over 130 tribes were recorded during the 1800's as having played dice games.
Present day games of chance players can try their luck here.