THE GAMES THE INDIANS PLAYED

Indian recreation offers a fresher field for surveyors than Indian food (see Lavine, KR, p. 58, J-22) and, while many readers may be aware that Central American Indians added bounce to modem sport by inventing the rubber ball, fewer suspect that in addition to loving fierce competitive games like lacrosse, the Indian was an inventive and passionate gambler. The many variations of games and their equally varied religious and legendary associations might confuse children who are unfamiliar with the cultures (or even the names) of some of the tribes included; however, this proof that adult Indians (as documented by old photographs) enjoyed dice, cat's cradle and laughing contests, does much to undermine the stereotype of the humorless, stoical brave.