Pelota Purépecha.
Used in a sentence: "On this Cinco de Mayo, let's celebrate with a game of Pelota Purépecha, (unless the cops come and make us stop)!"
I don't care if you're a Tea Partier, a Coffee Partier (have you heard of this alternative movement started in 2010?) or an Alcohol Partier (not a political movement, just a way of life for many of us), this game from south of the border sounds like something I only wish I had played when I was younger. Described as a sort of "field hockey for pyromaniacs" -- teams knock around a zapandukua (ball of twine and rags) that is lit on fire. I vote that this game replace the frat boy corn-hole toss or beer pong at your next all-night party!
It's part of a movement to have "pre-Hispanic" traditions remembered for their cultural signifigance. And it sounds a little nicer than another popular game -- pelota mixteca -- where the ball back in the day often had a human skull in its middle (from losers of previous tournaments who were sacrificed to the Aztec gods).
However you choose to celebrate (stuff a skull in a bag to make a ball or light one on fire to bat it around -- or both if you can stand the smell of smoking bones) ... happy Cinco de Mayo!
ANCIENT MEXICAN GAMES REVIVED:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2010-03-28-mexico-games_N.htm
COFFEE PARTY ALTERNATIVE TO TEA PARTY:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffee_Party_USA
CINCO DE MAYO IN A NUTSHELL:
http://www.vivacincodemayo.org/history.htm
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