UP Arts hosts major international Mexican exhibition

Posted on May 10, 2010

The exhibition titled, "Worldview and Skills: The Mesoamerican Ball game" is brought to the African continent for the first time and is on public display in the Mapungubwe Museum in the Old Arts Building from 7 May until 10 June 2010. Several Mexican institutions such as the National Council for Culture and the Arts (CONACULTA), the National Institute for Anthropology and History (INAH), the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Mexico wanted to celebrate with South Africa the 2010 FIFA World Cup by bringing this unique exhibition that illustrates the way prehispanic people played the ball game centuries ago. The exhibition also commemorates the Bicentenary of the Mexican Independence and Centenary of the Mexican Revolution.

In the Mesoamerican world and ancient Mexico, the practice of a complex ritual known as the Ball Game was common practice, and represented the ancient Mexican's understanding of the universe. In ancient cultures, similar to many parts of the world, sport and recreation were normally linked to religious ceremonies. In such cultures these activities involved playing with a ball. Different ways to play with the ball on different parts of our planet and after centuries of evolution finally led to what now is the most extended sport in the world: football!

The exhibition is devoted to the description of the architecture and decorative elements relating to the practice of the Mesoamerican ball game. 13 original artefacts of stone and ceramic illustrate the meaning and the healing elements of architecture, representative symbolic objects in telling the story of this ancient ball game.

Don't miss the opportunity to come view this rare archaeological Mayan exhibition.

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