Daily Life Of Mayans
The Maya civilization had a fairly straightforward daily life. It incorporated religion, farming, and academics.
Pok-a-Tok
Pok-a-Tok was a ball game played by the Maya. It was played with a hard rubber ball. The objective of the game was to hit a ball through a hoop using only wrists, elbows, hips, and knees. The use of hands and feet were restricted. The winners were praised by the citizens of the Maya. The losers were usually sacrificed to the gods. On some occasions, the winners were sacrificed, due to the fact that their blood was more valuable.
Below: A Game of Pok-a-Tok.
Beauty
Beauty was an important part of Mayan society. Though, their sense of beauty is a little, taboo. What we consider beauty would be horrid. They flattened heads with board. This was called skull-binding. They also filed their teeth and socketed them with various rocks and gems. Another thing they believed was beauty was stretched ears. Tattoos were not uncommon as well.
Below: A persons teath decorated with stones.
Rituals
Rituals were a very important part of Mayan daily life. This is what kept order in Mayan society. They believed this is what would keep order, the sun rise, and the rain fall. Sacrifices were not frowned upon by that society.
Below: A Mayan Ritual.
Skull Binding
The Mayans deformed there children at birth with a board pressed to their forehead. This was used to elongate the head, but no one knows the exact reason why, some believe it is to look like the god of Maize(corn), and others believe it was to look like aliens <----(Truth)(Bogus!)! Skull Binders were just a plank of wood and some cloth to wrap around the head to keep the board in place.
Below: Home madeskull binder and a painting of a Child's skull being bound and deformed. Devon,Kyle, and Robert's homemade version. (That is Kyle's little brother Nathan holding it)
