Native American gaming has a long and diverse history throughout the past
several hundred years. Although casinos are the main form of gambling today, it was not
always the case. In different areas and within different tribes there were many different
games that were played. These games became an integral part of tradition and culture.
Peone, ‘alewsa, payas, shinny, and chunkey are a few examples of ancient indigenous
games.
Peone is a game that was played by the Kumeyaay Indians in what is now
considered Southern California. It was usually played during holidays, festivals, and pow
wows. It was played with eight people per team, and an umpire. It was a game of chance
played using black and white bones, sticks, and blankets (An Ancient Indian Game Still
Alive Today).
The Chumash people, who also inhabited what is now California, had games that
were a large part of their culture. Games in the Chumash community either relied on
skill or chance. The main chance game was 'alewsa (which seems to be similar to the
Kumeyaay game, Peone). ‘Alewsa required two teams with at least two members each.
Each person had a black or white stick in hand, and the object is to keep the other team
from guessing the hand that holds the white stick. The skill-oriented games also drew a
lot of attention from Chumash (History of Native American Gaming).
Payas and shinny were skill games played by the Chumash people. Payas was
also known as the hoop and pole game. The hoop (a twig wrapped in buckskin) was
rolled on the ground in a line, and the participant would throw a pole to where the center
of the hoop landed (History of Native American Gaming).
Shinny, or tikauwich was the most popular game in Chumash culture. It was
played on a large field, 300 yards on each side, with goal posts on each end. The players
would use their “shinny sticks” to knock a ball into the other teams goal (History of
Native American Gaming).
Another game was played towards the middle of the country. In modern day St.
Louis, Missouri, the Cahokia tribe played a game called Chunkey. It was played with
long sticks and a chunkey stone on a clay playing field. The chunkey stone was rolled
and two players would run after it, and throw their sticks, or spears to where they
anticipated the stone would stop. There were rituals that went along with the game,
including putting sand on the playing field before the game (Pauketat).
Chunkey stone remains were found in other locations, which may prove that other
tribes also participated in the game. It was a popular spectator sport, and played a role in
shaping social and political life of the Cahokia people. Many people placed bets on the
winners.
These games, as well as others, have impacted Native American culture and
traditions. They impacted tradition then, and they are continuing to impact traditions
now. These creative games were precedence to the current casinos that represent Native
American culture today.
References
An ancient Indian game still Alive today." Native American casino 5.11 (2005):25.
“History of Native American Gaming.” Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. 2009. 20
Oct. 2009. < http://www.santaynezchumash.org/gaming_history.html>.
Pauketat, Timothy R. America's First Pastime. Archaeology 62.5 (2009): 20-25.