Ultimate Frisbee for a Primitive culture

 

My readers that are family and friends know that I am an active person that enjoy sports and exercise, but it was something I was seriously lacking here in Panama. In site, I have tried to go running but our dirt road is full of unstable rocks and the abundance of mud I need to cross to even get to the road discouraged me. I used yoga podcasts for an early morning stress relief, but was still missing some intense cardio workout.

In my community, men and women play volleyball together and only men play soccer. The kids play baseball for physical education when the teachers bring equipment to play with. When I first arrived, I had a strong interest in playing volleyball. Everyone was very welcoming and was willing to teach me (I haven’t ever played much) but my interest didn’t last long. Ngäbe culture is very competitive and sportsmanship and encouragement are not practiced. When someone, or even myself, would make a mistake and send the ball flying in the other direction, my natural reaction would be to laugh it off. But I quickly became frustrated when people would scold each other, accusing they don’t know how to play and to get off the court. Of course there is trash talking between the teams, but even amongst members. When I would say encouraging words: “nice try, very good”, they would mockingly repeat it back to me. The day I realized I would not be playing volleyball anymore was when a grown man kept scolding a 12 year old girl year because she couldn’t cross the net. “Mas arriba, usa tu brazo, mas duro!” – ”higher, use your arm, harder”, he yelled. But did not take the time to show her how to do these things: what form is proper, how to hold your fists together, ect. After the 100^th time of him scolding her, I snapped. “Deja por favor. Ella es una niña y todavía está aprendiendo. Tiene que tener paciencia.” –“stop it please, she is a girl and is still learning. You have to be patient”. The court grew silent and he began speaking in Ngäbere to the others present, probably saying vulgarities.

In terms of soccer, I have never been a big soccer player and the only people who play are muchachos the ages of 12-25 who all want to date me. Avoiding that one.

Despite the lack of sports I had for a while ..I didn’t give up. I decided to introduce Ultimate Frisbee. I also had never been a big Frisbee player BUT it seemed like the perfect sport to bring to my community because:

You don’t need expensive equipment. A Frisbee and some grass

Everyone can play- women, men, young, old.

I need exercise in my life  

A PC Panama Volunteer started the international organization Ultimate Without Borders and is becoming very popular here in Panama.

I now play with community members almost every afternoon. I also feel good being in charge. Since I know the rules and have the Frisbee, the kids are at my disposal and have to listen to me. For example, everyone is new at Frisbee, so I take the time to show them proper techniques- without yelling or harsh criticism. If someone messes up, we all laugh. If I hear negative put downs, they sit out. If I see hitting, they sit out. It may seem harsh but within a few afternoons, I heard my children saying positive comments and giving each other high fives.

I was planning on going to an Ultimate Without Borders coach training. Ultimate doesn’t only teach kids how to play but every “practice“ has some underlying message that ranges from self-esteem to teamwork. Unfortunately I was not able to attend due to a fairly serious skin infection. BUT I hope to be able to attend a training later in my service or just make them up on my own!

I do not currently have pictures of my kids playing Frisbee so for now I have this guy ...