Sisimito I--Ox Witz Ha

by Henry W. Anderson

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Now comes the important part. You cannot move the ol with your hands or feet. The only time the ol is touched with the hands or feet is at the beginning of play. You can use your hips. The hips move the ol the best, but the maneuver requires a lot of practice. You can also use your wrists, your knees, your elbows and your head. Now, we will teach you the body movements necessary to carry out the maneuvers that will make you win the game. We will only show you a couple basic ones or you won’t learn anything. All we need is for you to fill in the gaps in our plays. We will not be playing at this halaw, but don’t worry. The other is exactly like this except that it has larger seating areas. This halaw is used by the Halach Uinic for games that are done more for fun as a spectator sport and for betting, at times for his private enjoyment.”

  The practice continued for about an hour. I had played all kinds of ballgames before, but had never been called upon to use my hips. My hips were usually reserved for after the games, when the señoritas came to congratulate me on my athletic abilities and have Tóolok provide an additional bit of sport. I must Think only of winning the game. At first, the maneuvers seemed difficult, but I soon realized that they followed the basic movements of the human body. Once I had gotten that concept firmly cemented in my mind, I learned easily. After a while, we were actually laughing and the guards were shouting encouragement from the sidelines. Suddenly, it was over and the three of us, accompanied by my Nim-q’ij Guards, were headed back to the Nim-q’ij Temple where I had spent the night with Molly. I could not allow myself to think of her. I must Think only of the game. I must Think only of winning the game.

  The courtyard had been transformed. Nim-q’ij Guards stood at attention around its entirety. A decorated urn of incense from the sacred p’om tree burned between each guard and a group of musicians were playing flutes and drums. Several Nobles stood in two groups in one corner. On the table, set in the middle, was a golden statue of the fierce Feathered Serpent, Kukulcán, fitted on poles for bearers. A ring was set vertically upon a round base, the inner circumference of the ring being about a foot and the ring itself about five inches deep and wide. A golden serpent stood on top of the golden ring by its tail. Its body was convoluted and beautifully designed golden feathers were attached at each turn of the serpent’s body. The statue itself stood about four feet high, the serpent’s maw open, its fangs carved from jade, its eyes of red rubies. Around Kukulcán, the table was laid with baskets of fruits and wreaths made from branches of the sacred p’om tree.

  As we came onto the patio, the Nobles shouted words of praise and encouragement at Bo and Choj, but I had no one to shout for me. They were probably family members and, as I watched them, I saw smiles upon their faces, but as I gazed at their eyes, I saw fear and distress. They were dressed in great finery, cloaks and ponchos made from the beautiful feathers of the most exotic birds, feathered headdresses made from the feathers of the quetzal. Several carried round fans made from bamboo and the feathers of the ix-oop. They wore necklaces, bracelets, and earplugs, made from gold, jade, turquoise, onyx, and shells. Both men and women wore beautifully colored tattoos on the exposed parts of their bodies. Some of the women held small heavily adorned parasols while others carried standards and flags with various symbols on them, the prominent symbol being that of the jaguar.

  Our guards led us into a large room filled with steam and holy incense, adjacent to the room Molly and I had spent the night in. There were about a dozen people in there, probably palace servants, both men and women, dressed in colorful huipils, skirts, or loincloths. There were three wide benches and on either side of each was a water channel and a fire pit. As I was unsure of what to do, I decided to follow what Bo and Choj did. Each one of us walked to one of the three benches then turned around. Immediately, the servants approached us, took off our clothes, and helped us onto the benches. They wanted me to take off my Green Scapular, but I refused.

  We were washed down with warm water and herbs after which we were dried. Another group of servants came in with sweet smelling oils in gold and silver cups and we were rubbed from head to foot. As those highly trained masseurs touched me, every muscle of my body relaxed making not only my body felt light, but also my mind; my very essence was being readied for the ballgame. I must Think only of winning the game. As those servants were finished, a group of attendants came in carrying the game clothes and equipment. We were made to stand and we were fitted. I was first dressed with a loincloth that was made from fabric with the design of the jaguar skin, golden brown with black patterns. The cloth was wrapped tightly around my waist then looped backwards, holding Tóolok and my cojones firmly between my legs, after which the cloth was taken up to the waistband and secured. I worried that I would feel uncomfortable or painful, having Tóolok and his two playmates so firmly against my body, but there was no discomfort. There was no pain. Being dressed ceremoniously with a loincloth was definitely an art and, that day, was being done by professionals.

  Next, a heavily padded hip protector, circular and covered with the skin of the jaguar, was placed over the loincloth and rested on my hips. I was given gold colored gloves that ended in a black padded wrist and forearm protector. Gold colored protectors were placed on my knees and we were shod with black lej-xajäbs. All these were expertly secured. Lastly, we were fitted with helmets made from the jaguar skin and lined with pliable but tough bark, possibly moho.321 As soon as that was done, all the servants left. Xicohtencatl, who had never left my side, and other guards then escorted us outside where we were all met with cheers. I was then part of the team, no longer the stranger that the priests feared. I was a Pitz player … possibly on the way to having my heart shown to me by a grinning priest. I must Think only of winning the game.

  We were taken over to the table to eat. I didn’t want anything, but Bo insisted. He advised it was part of the ritual and was also necessary to provide fuel for what lay ahead so I ate some the fruits that were there. I noted that even though the Nobles cheered for us and shouted encouragement at us, they did not come near us. We were now sacred and untouchable. I allowed myself to think briefly of Molly and I wondered what was happening to her. Then I thought only of the game. I must Think only of winning the game.

  The musicians continued playing as they started walking away from the courtyard. Immediately, the Nim-q’ij Guards formed two files following them. Bo and Choj were beside me and they gave me their hands so that we formed a triangle. They pulled my arms upward and shouted “Kukulcán” and I joined in the fanfare the second and third time we did it. We then moved into the center of the two files the Nim-q’ij Guards had formed, Xicohtencatl immediately in front of us and another Nim-q’ij Guard behind. The servants carrying the statue of Kukulcán followed us and then the Nobles. The parade, the music, the people were captivating, but all I allowed myself to think about was the game; I must Think only of winning the game.

  Holy incense burned everywhere as we walked southwesterly and citizens, of all social classes, were already lining the sacbeob as we left the Caana, its plazas, buildings, water reservoir, and ballcourt.

  “To your left is the Central Acropolis. Many of our Elite live there. There are also two religious temples, a funerary, a Nim-q’ij Tomb and others,” pointed out Choj. “To your right is the Temple of the Wooden Lintel. It is one of the first major temples built. The priests keep their liquid mercury there. To the right of the Temple of the Wooden Lintel is a very famous temple, famous because it is covered with modeled red stucco. It also bears a Nim-q’ij Tomb. After the festivities, I will take you there to see it. There are many important stelae there that tell the history of our Nim-q’ij City and our citizens. One was dedicated less than fifty years ago, during the reign of Yajaw Té K’inich II. If you look to the left of the temple with the red stucco, you can see the astronomical observatory. It is a very noteworthy building as its windows are lined up according to sightlines of celestial events at the horizon. If you imagine a line thro
ugh the different windows, one bisects the setting sun during the equinoxes, two other lines locate the northern and southern extremes of Lahun Chan as he sets and one line points to the magnetic south.”

  “You are well learned,” I remarked.

  “As we said earlier, Bo and I are among a growing group that wants to follow new ideas. We have the full support of the Halach Uinic and he has our full loyalty.”

  “Then why would he have you play in a game where death is a likely outcome?”

  “In life, death is the only certain outcome. Our Nim-q’ij Al-ch’utin-nan believes it is important for you and Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’ to survive.”

  “Your cousin?”

  “Cousin? I don’t know that word. Is it also from your kingdom?”

  “Yes,” I nodded. “It is the same as al-ch’utin-nan.” Emotions clamped my chest. The Halach Uinic was probably sending Choj and Bo, his cousins, to their deaths because of me. How could I be that important? I didn’t understand.

  “Think only of winning the game, Ke’kchi,” he warned me. He then smiled and I knew that I would never forget that moment as long as I lived. I wanted to cry again. Oh fok!

  We continued walking and I saw the ballcourt. All the surrounding buildings were filled with people. Every step of the Temple of the Wooden Lintel was taken, covered with the parasols of the Nobles and Middle-class. I looked up at the sky, with dread. It was midday. As we reached the ballcourt, the musicians went up to the Blue platform overlooking the court. The Halach Uinic and his family were already seated there and as I stared at his face, it reflected no emotion. Most of the game officials were seated on the Red side, a few on the Blue side to assist with the placing of the markers and the flags.

  The Nim-q’ij Guards broke up and divided into two groups, one at each end and just outside of the court while Xicohtencatl went onto the Blue platform and stood behind the Halach Uinic. The priests and their servants carrying the statue of Kukulcán turned around and took a sacbeob to the northeast. Choj casually informed me that they were going in the direction of the altar to make preparations for sending the defeated to Xibalba. In the center of the court were our three opponents. They were dressed in the ivory color of the köj.322 On the court, in front of them, was the ol, looking small and insignificant. We advanced and faced our adversaries. I kissed the Green Scapular and thought of Bas. Think only of winning the game.

  The musicians played, loudly, and the crowd cheered, continuously. Then the music stopped and the crowd was immediately silent. There were a few seconds of intense beating of drums then there was absolute quiet. I looked only into the black eyes of the young man opposite me. I knew nothing about him. I didn’t know if he were married, had children. He probably was. Bas had told me that, in bygone days, most Maya men married in their adolescence and lived with their wife’s parents for a period of service up to six years or more. It was only after that time the man was able to take out his wife and establish a new household. I had to win and so was hoping to send that man, someone I knew nothing about, to the sacrificial altar that evening under the watchful eyes of Lahun Chan. Think only of winning the game.

  An official stood up. Think only of winning the game. The Team of the Baläm323 will be the Red Team.

  “Fok!” I heard Bo say under his breath. I looked at him. He smiled sardonically saying, “The Red Team loves to lose.”

  “Not this k’iin,” I foretold, adamantly. We then introduced ourselves, each of us shouting our names.

  “Choj!”

  “Tlacaelel!”324

  “Bo!”

  “Uetzcayotl!”325

  “Ke’kchi!”

  “Tepiltzin.”326

  Another official stood up. He wore an elaborate headdress of red feathers surrounding the image of Kukulcán which was placed just above his forehead. White goggles made from sea shells were about his eyes and large jade earrings hung from his ears. Layers of jade and seashell necklaces lay across his bronze and muscular chest and he wore a cape made from ocelot skin over a spare white loincloth. There were bracelets of gold and silver at his wrists and around his ankles and he wore no lej-xajäbs. In his left hand he held a spearthrower.

  “There will be five goals, if necessary, to each game,” began the official. “The team that scores the first three goals wins the game. There will be three games, if necessary, to the match. The team that wins two games wins the match.” The official raised the spearthrower upward. The spectators gave widespread acclamation, shouting and spinning their multihued parasols until the gathering was a kaleidoscope of screams and colors. “Begin play,” he shouted.

  With lightning speed, Bo picked up the ball and began bouncing it on one knee. He gave it a high bounce while Choj was moving backwards. The ball was still coming downward when Bo brought up his right arm and hit the ball towards Choj. One of the Köjs leapt high, caught the ball against his helmet and sent it across court to another Köj. I hadn’t moved. The köj player received the ball with his ankle and sent it bouncing up the sloping wall towards the Blue ring. Another Köj was already there and with his wrist whacked the ball through the ring.

  People were screaming, cheering, shouting, and Bo was running to the other end of the court to get the ball. I still didn’t move. I looked up at the Blue platform to see the Halach Uinic staring intently at me. I saw Xicohtencatl, heard him shouting, his lips forming the words, ‘Ke’kchi! Ke’kchi! Ke’kchi! As one marker was raised on the Blue side, I moved and I heard the crowd scream its approval. I was downcourt as Bo raised the ball off his ankle, hurling it towards me. I leapt into the air, rotated as the ball was passing me, and slugged it with my left ankle sending it towards Choj who was running up the slope on the Red side. The ball passed the goal towards Choj. He took aim with his right wrist, struck the ball and sent it back and through the ring. There was then one marker up on the Red side and the roar of the crowd made me feel dizzy. Think only of winning the game. As the ball came out of the Red goal a Köj was already there to receive it. He was standing on the sloping wall and caught the ball on his knee then began bouncing it upward. I ran towards him while Bo ran to the opposite side. Before I could reach the Köj, he had caught the ball with his wrist and the ball was flying at blinding speed across the width of the court to a second Köj. The latter threw his body to the sloping wall, landing on his palms. He lifted his lower body swiftly upward, caught the ball with his hip, heaving it towards the Blue ring. The ball slammed against the wall, just in front of the ring, and ricocheted through. There were two markers on the Blue side and parasols were spinning, people were screaming, chanting, and whistling, the noise loud and continuous. Bo was already downcourt to get the ball, but the ball was running out of bounds. I heard the drums beat.

  “Red,” called out the official.

  Bo picked up the ball with his two feet, tossed it upwards and was quickly back on the court, juggling the ball off his knees. Choj and I each had a Köj shadowing327 us while the third one was waiting centercourt as Bo advanced. Bo sent the ball high in the air. I had no clue why, but, apparently, the Köj near him knew the tactic for he rushed towards Bo. The ball was coming down and Choj was charging up the wall beyond the Red goal. Bo leapt into the air, heading328 the ball upcourt towards the Red goal at a speed which made the ball hard to see. The ball hit the wall at just the precise angle, rising up and going through the hole. Choj was there to receive it and as the Köj s watched helplessly, he sent the ball right back through the hole. The drums were rolling, the bystanders jumping, the music playing as Bo and Choj ran towards me and hugged me. There was a red flag flying on the Red platform and both markers were being removed for the next game.

  Attendants immediately brought cloths with which they wiped our sweat. Others checked our uniforms to see that everything was secure after which we were given water to drink and fruits to eat.

  “If we play like this, we’ll be having iztāc-octli329 tonight,” chanted Bo, smiling.

  “Ke’kchi!
After your initial immobility, you did well. You just need to move around more. That way, you’ll open additional plays,” advised Choj.

  “I didn’t realize the game was so fast.”

  “It can be so fast that you have lost before Kinich Ahau moves in the sky,” warned Bo.

  “From now on,” lectured Choj, “Move and, remember, Think only of winning the game.”

  I laughed. “Move and Think only of winning the game,” I repeated loudly. The drums rolled and, once again, the six of us were facing off and the ball was on the court. Move and Think only of winning the game.

  “The Blue will start the second game.”

  One Köj was bouncing the ball off his knee and the other two were spreading the court, being shadowed by Bo and Choj. I was marking330 the Köj bouncing the ball as he moved to the southern end of the court. He sent the ball up about ten feet and dropped his hands to the court. As the ball came down, he lifted both feet, catching the ball with both shins, and with an overhead volley331 hurled it against the Red wall about half way up. He continued his motion and was, immediately, back on his feet racing towards the Blue wall. I decided to follow the player rather than the ball that was already leaving the Red sloping wall and at an angle that was taking it towards and just in front of the Blue goal. I saw Bo leaping into the air trying to stop it with his wrists, but he missed the ball. As the ball rebounded off the Blue wall, my Köj was there to send it through the hole of the goal. There was one marker on the Blue side.