Hello future people of the UK!
I’m going to show you how the Ancient Maya live. But, to see that you’ve got to travel back 1000 years.
Before your grandparents, before Queen Victoria, and before Henry the VIII to about the time when the Vikings were pillaging the Anglo-Saxons…
Now, pop over the Atlantic Ocean turn left when you get to America and we’re on that thin bit that joins the continents - in Central America.
You’ve made it… Glad you could drop in. Welcome to the world of the Maya!
My name is Akbal - I’m just about to begin my training.
Better keep up - there are jaguars in these parts!
I’ve got to keep fit because I want to become a professional football player.
I’ve got a big game tomorrow… Yea, skills!
Actually it’s not the same football you play – it’s Mayan football – we call it ‘pok-ta-pok’, but you’ll see it tomorrow.
Phew, tropical rainforests are truly one of the hottest, sweatiest places to live in History! But on the plus side, it means lots of amazing plants grow around here. Not just food but medicine too. It’s like a big grocery and chemist all rolled into one!
Which reminds me, I better get home for dinner.
In the middle of the jungle is our city. As you can see, Egyptians aren’t the only ones who love their pyramids.
We’re into them too – although we believe ours are alive so we paint them red – just like blood.
Of course by the time you see them the paint will have worn off – so that’s why they might look a bit grey. [sniffs] Smells like grub’s up!
Food is very important to us, especially maize – it’s our staple crop so it goes into all sorts of dishes. It’s so important, that we even have a God of maize!
But don’t get me wrong, we eat other stuff too – In fact some of our favourite foods are probably some of yours - sweet potatoes, vanilla, avocados, tomatoes and, most importantly, CHOCOLATE!
[Yawns.]
Anyway, I better catch some kip so I’m well rested for the match tomorrow. Good night!
Today’s the day!
Mayan football is a religion for us…
…No really – I mean literally - the court is attached to the temple! And even though this is just a friendly, the priest turns up. He’s one of the most important people in our city. You can tell because he’s the chap with the biggest headdress on today.
The bigger the headdress the more important somebody is.
…which is why mine is so small – I’m just a lowly trainee, you see.
But if I do well today, that could all change – I’ll be on the road to superstardom…just like your Ronaldo, or Rooney!
We’re playing against another city, - every city in this region makes its own laws, that’s why they’re called ‘city states.’ But Luckily we both play by the same rules when it comes to Mayan football.
You can’t use your hands and if the rubber ball bounces more than once in your side, it’s a point for the other team.
It’s the first to 9 points, so these matches can go on for a while.
[CAPTION: 3 Hours Later…]
Yes! Score! That went well!
Life is good for us for another 500 years or so until the Europeans arrive – that’s when the Maya civilisation begins to disappear. And all this? Well, it’ll be History.
Video summary
Young Akbal introduces us to life in the Maya civilisation, which existed in Central America 1,000 years ago.
He tells us about his city's pyramids, buildings and food, including the importance of maize to their civilisation.
He discusses how you can tell the status of a person by the headdress that he wore, before showing us how the game of Mayan football is played.
This clip is from the series Lost Lands.
Teacher Notes
Pupils could compare football today with the Mayan ball game – how similar are the rules?
Was the ball game as important to the Maya as football is today to many people?
Pupils could also discuss what it was like living in a rainforest.
What foods were grown? What was the climate like? How well adapted to living there do the children think the Maya were?
This could also be used to investigate pyramids, comparing Maya pyramids with those in Ancient Egypt.
This could also be used to explore the foods we eat today compared with foods of the Maya.
This clip is relevant for teaching History at Key Stage 2 and Second Level.
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