Tejo Ancient & Traditional Colombian Sport

In September 2000, the traditional game of Tejo was officially declared a national sport in Colombia.A throwing game similar to North American horseshoes or the traditional European game of quoits,Tejo is one of the traditional sports Colombia holds onto in its soccer obsessed culture.

How to Play Tejo - Traditional Sports of Colombia

The game of Tejo is played on a rectangular 'court' measuring 19.5 meters in length and 2.5 metersin width. At both ends of the playing area is a 1 meter square target area placed at an angle ofapproximately 30 degrees facing towards the thrower. The target area is filled with clay, with awooden backboard behind it.

Within the clay target area are specific zones. In thecenter is a metal ring known as the bocin. This ring has aninterior diameter of 11 centimeters. Two triangular paperpouches filled with gunpowder are placed on the targetarea, one above and one below the bocin. These explosivepackets are known as the mechas, equilateral triangles of6cm.

Tejo is a team throwing game (although it can be played one against one), each team normallycomprising of three players. Each player has a metal disc called a tejo, opposing team membershaving one turn each round to launch their tejo towards the target area.

Scoring Points in Tejo Games - Throwing theDisc at the Target

The aim of the game is to gain victory bybeing the first team to reach 27 points. Pointsare scored in the following manner:

1 point for the team with the tejoclosest to thecentral ring or bocin

3 points for hitting either of the twogunpowder filled mechasand causing it to explode.

6 points for getting the tejoto stick firmly in the central metal ring (bocin).

9 points for getting the tejo into the bocin while at the same time clipping a mecha and detonating it.

The tejo itself is only slightly smaller than the bocin (central target) itself making it a fine art tothrow the disc accurately enough over such a distance to score points regularly. A well practicedthrowing technique is also needed to ensure the flight of the disc is such that it will stick firmly inthe clay on impact.

Tejo & Colombian Culture

As with many traditional sports, beer often accompanies a game of tejo. Naturally, the losing teamhas to buy the next round - and in Colombia, sports are accompanied by Colombian beer. Nearly allprofessional Tejo teams are sponsored by beer companies, so brand loyalty is more than just aquestion of taste.

A half-length tejo playing area is oftenavailable for children, helping to keepthem occupied while the adults focuson the game. Foreign tourists whoneed to practice without injuringpeople are advised to start out on thekids' court.

Ancient South American Games -Traditional Colombian Tejo

Today's standardized and officially recognized sport of Tejo has its origins in the traditional sports ofthe ancient South American cultures.

Steve Craig, in a book entitled Sports and Games of the Ancients (Greenwood Publishing Group,2002), writes: "The game of tejo was derived from the Chibcha Indians, who played it in pre-Colombian times". He also believes that due to their skilled craftsmanship it is probable that theoriginal tejo disc was fashioned from metal as it is today.

The inclusion of the explosive mechas was perhaps a result of the game being played in miningcamps where blasting caps where incorporated into the target area.

Amongst the more modern sports of Colombia, Tejo has managed to hold its place within popularColombian culture. Courts can be found throughout the country, from the capital to the countrysideto the coastal regions. If travelling to Colombia, Tejo is a game not to be missed.