Chunkey
Ancient Mississippian rolling-and-throwing game — chase a rolling stone disc and throw a spear where it will stop.
What is Chunkey?
Chunkey is an ancient Native American sport originating around 600 CE at Cahokia (present-day Illinois) and spreading across the Mississippian culture and Southeastern tribes. One player rolls a polished stone disc ('chunkey stone') across the field; competitors sprint after it and throw wooden poles trying to land closest to where the stone will stop. It survived into the 19th century and is being revived today in some tribes as cultural heritage.
Quick facts
Category
Traditional & Cultural Sports
Type
Individual
Players
2–4
Where played
outdoor
Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Estimated origin
600 CE Cahokia (Mississippian culture) — spread across Southeastern North America
Olympic
No
Popularity
niche