La actividad físico-deportiva, una práctica educativa en Mesoamérica

Abstract

Altohough physical education and sports are authentic phenomena of our times, they have their origin in the anciest societies. Being considered together with playing as trivial activities until recently, they are, however necessary if we want to know about the culture of past civilisations, because these exceptional actions of human behaviour were part of the life and customs of those people. The present speech, we are dealing with an approach to Mesoamerican culture dwelling on the study of one its less known aspects: the set of physical activities, that native people Nahua practised daily. In the family as well as in the state spheres, parents and teschers show a great interest in the physical formation of the youngster. Hygienic habits instilled from an early age favoured the development of a strong and healthy body Games and toys enabled the children to develop harmonically. When they were older, the Mexica liked practising several games and sports, especially PATOLLI and ball game (ULLAMALIZTLI) being the national sport of Mesoamérica. The different physical-sport exercises taught in Telpochcalli an Calmecac made exceptional soldiers as well as preparing them for their lives together, where they had a stric training through physical exercises. The transition from the aztec society from primitive to national was established. Ortega y Gasset defined this as «the sportive origin of State».