THE 5 MOST OUTSTANDING TRADITIONAL YUCATAN GAMES - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

Among the traditional games of Yucatán, the tinjoroch, the bota palitos and the Mayan tick, the kimbomba and tamales a la pot stand out. In Yucatán the custom of entertaining with these traditional activities has not been lost.

These traditional games have contributed to the physical, social, mental, affective and cognitive development of this society.

You may also be interested in the traditions and customs of Yucatan or its archaeological sites.

The 5 main indigenous games of Yucatán

1- The tinjoroch

Tinjoroch is a traditional game known for the simplicity of its materials. It is a flattened soda drink cap or plate with two holes in the center. This serves to pass the rope and place the sheet in the center.

It can be played by an individual or even several groups of two to five people. The person or group who keeps the lid turning the longest wins the game.

2- Boot sticks or deer hunt

The bota palitos or deer hunt is a game that is practiced in the state of Yucatán, mainly by mestizos and indigenous youth. You only need a ball and wooden sticks.

The game consists of placing several sticks or wands lying on a wall. From a distance, one of the players throws the ball to try to knock one down.

The rest of the players run to a base, except the owner of the stick that fell; This player will have to look for the ball and throw it against his teammates, preventing them from reaching the base.

If he touches any of his teammates, the person who touched him passes the turn. If it does not touch anyone, this player will have one point less.

When a player or group accumulates three points against, the group will determine a punishment that the loser must fulfill.

3- The Mayan tick

The game has its name thanks to a small animal that predominates in the region. It is played in teams, on a court or on a flat ground, free of obstacles.

It is usually played by people of all ages, men and women alike. It is very popular in the Umán community, in Yucatán.

The members will be tied by a rope at the waist, and will be as close as possible. When executed, the shape of the teams is reminiscent of the physiognomy of the Mayan tick.

The winning team will be the first to go around the court from one end to the other until they return to the starting point.

4- The kimbomba

The game of kimbomba is very similar to baseball. It is also known as charangais, beli, capirucho or bolillo.

You need two pieces of wood to play it: a long, thin piece similar to a bat, about 8 inches long; and another small piece, about 10 centimeters, with a conical shape.

The small piece is used as a puck for the opposing team to hit with the help of the stick.

The goal of the game is to hit the small piece as far as possible. The team with the highest batting score will win.

5- Tamalitos in the pot

Tamalitos a la olla is a traditional game popular in the Mayan communities of the state.

It is very common to see children and young people play it at school recess or in outdoor spaces.

Two teams play, one forms a line with the lower back and the other group jumps, one by one, on the backs of their teammates.

The idea of ​​the game is to see how far each one jumps and how long the others can resist.

References

1. Bantula, Mora. (2002). Multicultural games. 225 traditional games for a global world. Barcelona, ​​Paidotribo.
2. Blanco, T. (1995). To play as we played. Salamanca, Salamanca County Council.
3. Espejel, Carlos. (nineteen eighty one). Mexican Toys. Mexico. SEP.
4. Garcia, Candelaria. (1998). Mexican Games Blog. Mexico.
5. La Vega, Pere. (2005). Traditional popular games and sports. Editorial INDE.