Hoop and Javelin Game
This game was widely known and played among the various tribes
dwelling within the territory now occupied by the United States.
In its passage from one tribe to another the game became modified
into several types, but the fundamental character was not changed,
so that all these types are, in a sense, a unit. The game is
very old upon this land; the articles used in playing it have
been found in ancient graves, in the cliff dwellings of the Southwest
and in various ruins scattered over the country.
Among the Pueblo tribes the articles used in types of this game
appear among the paraphernalia on altars prepared for certain
ceremonies. From a study of these ceremonies in connection with
the myths of the people it seems probable that the hoop used
in this game represents the shield of the War God. When the hoop
has a netting that fills the center and covers the edges, the
netting simulates the magic web of the Spider Woman, a person
that frequently figures in the myths and stories of different
tribes. Her web generally serves as a protection furnished by
her in a conflict.
The netted hoop appears as a decoration upon the interior of
pottery bowls formerly made by the Indians of the Southwest.
In some of these bowls the netting is dotted with spots. Dr.
Culin regards this particular design "as representing the spider
web with the dew upon it," and adds: "The 'water shield' [of
one of the Zuñi War Gods], from which he shook the torrents,
was suggested, no doubt, by dew on the web." To one unfamiliar
with the Indian's habit of mind it may seem strained to connect
the beads of dew on a spider's web with the torrential rain,
but to one familiar with native thought as expressed in myths
where the Indian has dramatized his conceptions of nature and
of natural forces and phenomena, the connection ceases to be
On the Pueblo altars the netted shield is always associated
with arrows, bows or darts. In the various types of this game
the arrows, darts, bows, javelins and lances that are associated
with the hoop are interchangeable, some tribes using one and
other tribes another. Under all the varied types with their different
forms as found among scattered and unrelated tribes the game
holds to its original significance, primarily religious in character,
being an appeal for the protection and the perpetuity of life.
Only two articles are required for this game, the hoop and the
javelin. In one type the hoop is covered with a netting more
or less closely and elaborately woven. In all the netted designs
it is usually possible to trace a figure as of a path crossing
at right angles in the center of the space within the hoop and
ending at four equidistant points on the edge of the hoop. This
path indicates the path of the Four Winds, which stand with their
life-giving power at the four directions, the North, East, South
and West. In some localities the netting of the hoop is made
from the yucca, in other places corn husks are used. With the
closely netted hoop arrows are apt to be found. Some of these
have as the shaft a corn cob with a stick about eighteen inches
long thrust through the cob, sharpened at the lower end and a
tuft of feathers tied to the upper end; this feathered stick
is a prayer-stick such as is offered at a shrine.
In another type of the game the hoop is of stone; the lance
is associated with this kind of hoop.
There are a variety of nettings for the hoop and much diversity
in the style of arrows, darts and javelins used in the game.
The simplest is chosen to be here presented, for the reason
that both the articles used in the game should be made in the
camp where it is to be played. The hoop and javelins were always
made by the youths who joined in the sport, and the making of
hoop and javelin was part of the fun.
Properties.—A hoop and two javelins.
The hoop is made in the following manner: A piece of rope, not
of a heavy kind, about sixteen inches long will give the foundation
for a hoop about four inches in diameter. The two ends should
be spliced together so as to leave the edge of the hoop even.
The ring of rope is wound with a strip of leather or cloth in
order to give the hoop such a surface that it can roll and yet
be flexible and light.
The javelin is made of three parts, the shaft and the two barbs.
The shaft is of wood, four feet long, round and smooth. An inch
from one end a
Directions. — A level course from North to South
and from fifty to one hundred feet long. Four players; two stand
at the north end of the course and two at the south end. The
one whose place is toward the East on the north and the one who
stands toward the East on the south end are partners. Both of
these players should wear a red band about the head, as red is
the color of the East. The two players who stand toward the West
at the two ends are partners, and these should wear yellow bands
about their heads, yellow being the color of the West. The opponents
in the game, therefore, stand side by side. Partners cannot help
each other in the playing, but both players count for their side
all the points they make.
The javelin is grasped by the middle, the barbed end toward
the back, and the plain rounded end is shot toward the hoop.
The number of points that will constitute the game should be
decided upon before beginning the game. Ten is the usual number
among the Indians. Lots should be drawn as to which of the four
players should be the first to throw the hoop. The one who draws
the hoop then takes one of the javelins, and the player whose
place is beside him takes the other javelin.
At a signal, the players with the javelins and the hoop start
on a run along the course; the one with the hoop throws it a
little upward with all his force and both players watch the course
of the hoop, having their javelins ready to hurl at the hoop
the instant they think they can reach it. If the javelin passes
through the hoop and stops it so that it falls on the shaft below
the band that was cut thereon, that throw counts two. If the
hoop is caught on one of the barbs, that counts one. If the shaft
goes entirely through the hoop so that it does not fall on the
javelin, that counts nothing. If both javelins catch on the hoop,
that is a draw and neither player can count the point made. If
on this run and throwing of the hoop and javelins neither of
the players scores a count, the player at the other end who is
the partner of the one who threw the hoop now takes the hoop
to throw it. He and his opponent who stands beside him now start
on a run; the hoop is thrown and the javelins hurled as before.
In this way the players at the ends of the course alternate in
throwing the hoop North or South, but the right to throw the
hoop belongs to the player who makes the best point. The hoop
thus passes from the east or west players according to the points
The game is an athletic sport, and much skill can be developed
in the throwing of the javelins and also in the tossing of the
hoop so as to prevent scoring by the opponent.
If the grounds are large enough, there is nothing to prevent
having two courses and two games going on at the same time.