The moccasin game is a gambling game once played by most Native American tribes in North America. In the game, one player hides an object (traditionally a pebble, but more recently sometimes an old bullet or a ball) in one of several moccasins, but in such a way that the other player cannot easily see which moccasin it is in; that player then has to guess which moccasin contains the object. Customarily, the game would be accompanied by music played on drums to distract the guessing player.[1]
In Dakota, the moccasin game is called haƞpap̣ena or "haƞpap̣ec̣uƞpi."
The game's popularity faded over time, and the old songs were forgotten. By the 1960s only the Chippewa (Ojibwe) of Minnesota and a few other groups still played it.[1] However, in recent years, like many other traditional games (such as lacrosse), moccasin game has seen a resurgence of interest among younger generations. Tournaments are often held during the summer at powwows or other gatherings and are sponsored by a tribe, organization, or family.
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Chippewa people playing the moccasin game at Mille Lacs Indian Reservation, c. 1885 -
Young boys playing the moccasin game, c. 1938 -
An 1898 postcard depicting a game in progress
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Craig, Steve (2002). Sports and Games of the Ancients. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 215–17. ISBN 9780313316005.