By: SANDRA BUSATTA
Afvcketv or pokkecheta also known as stickball, is important to the social fabric of Creek communities. This popular game fosters interaction among individuals from different towns. Known as the “Little Brother of War,” it was historically significant. Teams of 50 to 100 players from two different towns competed to propel a small deer-hide ball through the goal posts. Hickory sticks, each with a woven rawhide pocket at the end, were used by the players. The team that scored the most goals was declared the winner. All able-bodied men participated, and it was not uncommon for players to sustain injuries or, occasionally, fatalities. It was a popular sport, and gambling on the outcome of the match was frequent. Stickball’s fundamental principles have remained largely unchanged since its inception. The game holds significant cultural importance, serving as a medium for transmitting purification rites and ceremonies.
