3 Review(s)

In Indian Games: An Historical Research, Andrew McFarland Davis examines the traditional games played by Indigenous peoples of North America, shedding light on the cultural and social significance of these activities. Davis’s research documents various games, such as lacrosse, dice games, and games of chance, each with its own historical roots and rules. His work is based on accounts from explorers, missionaries, and early settlers, as well as Indigenous oral histories, to present a detailed account of these games and their place in Indigenous society.Davis explains how games were more than mere entertainment; they held symbolic meanings and often involved rituals that reinforced social bonds and taught important skills. For example, lacrosse was not only a physical contest but also a ceremonial event, sometimes used to resolve conflicts or honor spiritual beliefs. Games of chance were often tied to luck, fate, and spirituality, providing a way to connect with the divine or explore one’s fortune.