Did you know: Batu is an ancient Taino ceremonial ball game, which has been regaining popularity in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico over recent years. Similar to ball games played by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica, opposing teams use a rubber ball in ways reminiscent of volley ball but without a net or the use of their "hands." 15th century European colonizers marveled at the agility of Taino ball players, men and women, and the game's main piece of equipment - the rubber ball. Europeans had never before seen this Taino innovation. The Taino used the sap from the "cupey" and other trees together with plant fibers to construct the ball. Batu was used for conflict resolution as well as for the fulfillment of certain spiritual and secular community needs. Besides oral tradition, the importance of Batu in ancient Taino society is affirmed by the number of ball courts or Batey "uncovered" by archeologists through out the islands. The Batey or ceremonial grounds were used not only for the game of Batu but for community ceremonies called "areito". The revival of Batu ball games have been documented in the Dominican Republic (Azua) and Puerto Rico. To me the Ancients are still playing the BATU in the stars using the moon as the ball. TAU TI AGUILAR