As the sun sets over the rolling hills of Neshoba County, a war cry rises above the drums and dancing. Under the lights of Warrior Stadium on the Choctaw Indian Reservation in Neshoba County, bodies crash, sticks clash, and dust swirls into the summer air. It’s the World Series of Stickball — the main event of the Choctaw Indian Fair — and it’s not just a game. It’s one of the most sacred and brutal traditions in Mississippi history.
In Mississippi, long before football ruled Friday nights or baseball fields dotted the landscape, there was ishtaboli, or stickball — a sport played by Native peoples across the Southeast but most closely tied to the Choctaw Nation. Historians and tribal leaders alike recognize it as Mississippi’s oldest organized sport, one that predates European settlement and statehood by centuries.
A Game of War, Spirit, and Survival
(How a Choctaw warrior looked while playing stickball)
Stickball was never just about competition. For the Choctaw, it was a means of resolving conflicts between villages or tribes, a physical and spiritual outlet, and a rite of passage for young warriors. When diplomatic tensions flared — whether over land, trade, or honor — tribal leaders would turn to the ball field instead of the battlefield. The stakes were real: land, livestock, and pride all hung in the balance.
The matches were anything but tame. Teams of sometimes 50 to 100 men would gather on a massive open field, with goalposts set hundreds of yards apart. Players wielded carved hickory sticks — usually one in each hand — designed to catch, carry, and hurl a small leather ball called a towa. The only goal: get the ball through the opposing team’s goalpost. There were no pads, no helmets, and almost no rules. Broken bones, bloody lips, and concussions were all part of the game.
The brutality was part of its appeal. To be good at stickball was to be strong, fearless, and respected.
Ritual, Ceremony, and Culture
The night before a match, teams would engage in sacred preparation. Players fasted, were blessed by medicine men, painted their bodies with traditional symbols, and took part in stomp dances meant to purify the spirit and unify the tribe. Spectators would gather at dawn, and matches sometimes lasted until dusk or even carried over to the next day.
Though stickball is played today in more regulated formats, these rituals haven’t disappeared. During the Choctaw Indian Fair, each game still begins with ceremonial dances, songs, and a booming war cry. Many players still paint their faces and wear traditional regalia, connecting past to present with every pass, tackle, and goal.
The World Series of Stickball
Each July, the Pearl River Reservation becomes the epicenter of Native stickball when the Choctaw Indian Fair hosts the World Series of Stick Ball. What began decades ago as a local tournament has now become the largest gathering of stickball teams in the country.
The competition features four divisions: Men’s, Women’s, Youth (under 17), and Pushmataha (Co-Ed). Teams from all corners of Indian Country — Mississippi, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and even Alabama — arrive to represent their communities with fierce pride.
Games are held nightly at Neshoba Central High’s Warrior Stadium, a dirt-packed field surrounded by grandstands and filled with the electric energy of thousands of spectators. Unlike other sports, there are no uniforms. Teams wear traditional shorts, moccasins or barefoot, face paint, and little else — a nod to their ancestors. Referees watch closely, but the game is still wild and aggressive. Tackling is allowed, and stick-to-body contact is expected.
In recent years, powerhouse teams like Beaver Dam, Koni Hata, Bogue Chitto and the hometown team from Pearl River have battled for bragging rights, but underdog stories and dramatic finishes are part of the lore. The championship game often draws standing-room-only crowds, with chants echoing late into the night.
The Choctaw Indian Fair
While stickball is the centerpiece, the Choctaw Indian Fair is a four-day cultural experience. Guests can explore traditional Choctaw arts, beadwork, pottery, and clothing, take part in cooking demonstrations featuring hominy and fry bread, and witness ceremonial dances like the Snake Dance and the Wedding Dance. Guests can also expect plenty of food with live music each night.
The fair also includes carnival rides, live music from country and gospel stars, food vendors, and the annual crowning of the Choctaw Indian Princess, a highly respected role for young women in the tribe. The event draws tens of thousands of visitors each year and serves as a vital connection between past, present, and future generations.
(The Crowning of the Choctaw Indian Princess)
Pearl River Resort
The fair takes place on the Pearl River Reservation, home to the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians — the only federally recognized Native American tribe in Mississippi. The Choctaw Nation operates its own schools, health care, court system, and law enforcement agency.
Adjacent to the fairgrounds is Pearl River Resort, home to Silver Star and Golden Moon casinos, Geyser Falls Water Park, and several golf courses and hotels. Revenues from these businesses support education, cultural programs, and economic development throughout the tribe — including the preservation and promotion of stickball.
A Living Legacy
Today, stickball is more than a sport. It’s a living expression of identity, resilience, and unity. For Choctaw youth, it’s a source of pride and connection. For elders, it’s a reminder of a time when every pass and strike was tied to survival.
Whether you’re in the stands watching a late-night semifinal or wandering through the cultural village on a hot July afternoon, one thing is clear: stickball is not just Mississippi’s oldest sport — it may also be its most meaningful.
The Choctaw Indian Fair runs July 8-12, with the Stickball World Series championship held on Saturday night. For more information, visit www.choctawindianfair.com.
Tomorrow we will look at the rules for the game of stickball.
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