Tchung-Kee (chun-kee)
This may have been the most popular sport among the Hidatsa and Mandan boys and men, as well as other tribes. A special field was constructed outside of the village where the ground was smoothed and packed hard for a distance about 50 yards, and bushes were planted around the sides as a windbreak. Logs were placed on each side of the field to keep the playing sticks and balls from going off the field.
- The game was played in teams, with two opposing men competing in each turn.
- Each player carried two poles about 7 or 8 feet long, with bunches of feathers or leather tied onto them at regular intervals.
- Starting at the same end of the playing area, the men ran together, side by side, each carrying a pole in a horizontal position.
- One of them rolled a round, polished stone with a hole in the center in front of them, and each threw his stick, trying to spear the Tchung-kee stone.
- Points were counted for the “deepest” catch, as measured by the feathers or leather straps.
- If neither player had caught the stone on his pole, the one who came closest was considered the winner and got to throw the stone the next time.
- Additional information can be found at the following sites:
