The Ancient Game of Stickball

Season 4 • Episode 3

The Ancient Game of Stickball

A Chickasaw Storytellers' Series

Before the measure of calendar years, stickball was called Little Brother of War, because it was used to resolve conflicts with other tribes instead of all-out war. Ancient stickball was more than a game: it was an integral part of Chickasaw society that encapsulated all aspects of the culture, with the best players gaining status within their communities. After the game went underground in the 20th century, when tribal culture was under attack, stickball has evolved in the modern era with a new generation of players, both men and women, bringing attention to this ingrained part of Chickasaw culture.

Winter Fire: The Ancient Game of Stickball documents both ancient and modern eras, while exploring the connection between tradition and the people who keep it. While stickball’s role in Chickasaw society has evolved, the ferocity and intensity of the game live on today with men, women and youth teams. Chikasha Toli' is becoming a competitive force and a new generation of stickball players now embrace the game of their ancestors and the preservation of this age-old tradition.

EPISODES

25m

The Ancient Game of Stickball

EPISODES

And Our Mothers Cried

The Voices of Our Ancestors

Traditional Medicine

Arrival In Indian Territory—Fort Washita

Ethnobotany

Clans to Constitutions

Chickasaw Explorers 2018

Chickasaw Explorers 2019

Tribal Resurgence

Chickasaw Warriors

Chickasaw Lawmen in Indian Territory

The Ancient Game of Stickball