Pok-A-Tok The Maya played a ball game called "pok-a-tok. They used a hard rubber ball to play the game. The ball had to be hit through a stone ring high on the wall. Some archeologists believe that the team which lost the game was sacrificed to the gods. Here is an illustration of the Maya Ball Game.

Creation Stories The Mayas believed that the world was created by many spirits. The first humans which the gods created were made of mud but were so weak they was killed by a flood. Then the spirits sent hero twins who fought the evil spirits. The twins were believed to be the ancestors of the Mayan people.

Here is a link to excerpts from the Popul Vul (a version of the Maya Creation Story)

Sacrifice The Mayas worshipped many gods and many of them represented natural forces such as wind, sun, and rain. The Mayas sacrificed birds and other small animals to the gods. Major sacrifices took place duiring Mol, the month when all the Mayan gods were honored. Celebrations were marked by feasting, dancing and sacrifices to the gods.