The Purépecha ball game, also known as uarhukua chanakua or pasarutakua, is a traditional game originating in Michoacán that dates back more than 3,500 years. More than just a recreational activity, it holds deep symbolic and spiritual significance for the Purépecha culture, as it represented the balance of the cosmos, the birth of the sun, and the struggle between light and darkness. Some legends suggest that the game emerged following catastrophes linked to the birth of the planet Mars and that, since it was played with a flaming ball, it symbolized the sun’s journey across the sky.

The game is played between two teams using a wooden stick called a uarhukua to hit a ball originally made of a small stone wrapped in strips or pieces of natural cotton and woven or bound with a net made of henequen rope or twine. The objective is to carry the ball to the opposing goal.

Today, the Purépecha ball game is still played in communities throughout Michoacán and other regions of the country. More than just a sport, it is an expression of cultural identity and a living legacy of Mexico’s pre-Hispanic civilizations.

In this program, the audience will be able to participate in the Purépecha ball game through a reenactment that will begin with the ritual entrance of the players; this will be followed by a greeting to the four corners of the earth and a request for permission from the guardians. Once this ritual is complete, two dances dedicated to the elements of Mother Earth will be performed.

Next, a representative from the dance group will explain the rules of the game, followed by a demonstration of the ball game, and we will invite the audience to participate.

General admission is $210.00 MXN. A 50% discount ($105.00 MXN) is available for Mexican nationals and foreign nationals who provide valid official documentation proving their residency. Admission is free for children under 13 and adults over 60; people with disabilities; and students, teachers, and retirees with valid identification.

Information: guadalupe_lazo@inah.gob.mx