Mixtec Ball

The Pelota Mixteca is practiced by people of all ages in Central Valleys, Mixteca, and Coast Regions. Wherever an Oaxacan ball player goes, the sport goes beyond him in an individual or collective way. Playing in San Martin Tilcajete, Tlaxiaco, Santa Cruz, or Fresno, in California, implies resistance, discipline, and organization at the same time gives identity and fortress.

The Pelota Mixteca is a community-based sport practiced in Bajos de Chila, Lagunilla, Pochutla, Escobilla, Río Grande, Pinotepa, Coyantes, Juxtlahuaca, Putla, Huajuapan, San Martín Tilcajete, Zautla, San Nicolás Quialana, Sola de Vega, Arrazola, Donají and Cinco Señores in Oaxaca City.

For their significance and cultural value, Taller Jacobo y María Ángeles pays homage to the Pelota Mixteca. From 30 October to 30 November 2021, five powerful jaguars and five agile rabbits played in our gallery, guided by the wisdom of two xoloitzcuintles. 12 pieces of tonas and nahuales were created carefully in the workshop for several months, using wood of copal. These figures were devised by María Ángeles, who gives life and movement to her childhood memories, evoking her countrymen who played the ball in San Martín Tilcajete.

We thank the warm presence of the local team members from San Martin Tilcajete, also The Games and Indigenous and Traditional Sports Association from Oaxaca State. Who has the goal of dissemination and practice of the Pelota Mixteca for 30 years in local, national, and international forums.

It is important to note that on 15 December 2011 the Pelota Mixteca game was declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Oaxaca. It’s promoted by the Mexican Federation of Games and Indigenous and Traditional Sports, with the endorsement of The National Commission of Physical Culture and Sport.

VISIT STORE