{"id":237155,"date":"2025-09-19T22:44:06","date_gmt":"2025-09-19T20:44:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/?p=237155"},"modified":"2025-09-19T22:44:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-19T20:44:07","slug":"tejo-the-indigenous-ritual-that-became-colombias-national-sport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/tejo-the-indigenous-ritual-that-became-colombias-national-sport\/","title":{"rendered":"Tejo: the indigenous ritual that became Colombia’s national sport"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A metal disc flying through the air, the sudden explosion of a powder fuse, laughter erupting around a cold beer: this is the atmosphere of a game of tejo, Colombia<\/mark><\/strong><\/a>‘s most popular game. Officially recognized as a national sport and listed as intangible cultural heritage, it has its roots in the traditions of the Muisca people, long before the arrival of the Spanish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From the Muiscas to Turmequ\u00e9<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Originally called turmequ\u00e9<\/em>, this game was played by the Muiscas<\/strong><\/a>, a pre-Columbian civilization that flourished for over 1,500 years on the Colombian Altiplano in the present-day departments of Boyac\u00e1 <\/strong>and Cundinamarca<\/strong>. They would throw a gold disc, the zepguagoscua<\/em>, which symbolized the sun and paid homage to Su\u00e9<\/em>, the central deity of their cosmogony. <\/p>\n\n\n

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The throwing was part of sacred rituals, but was also used in social gatherings, conflict resolution, and even ceremonies related to love. With the Spanish conquest in the 16th century, gold was replaced by stone, then metal. Despite these changes, the game survived as a popular practice, particularly in the department of Boyac\u00e1<\/strong>, before spreading throughout the Andean regions of the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Our article: <\/em><\/strong>Bogot\u00e1, Colombia’s energy at the top of the Andes<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How is tejo played?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The principle is simple: throw an iron disc, of varying size and weight, towards a clay court. In the center, a metal ring (boc\u00edn<\/em>) holds small packets of gunpowder (mechas<\/em>). The goal is to hit the ring or trigger an explosion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fields vary between 8 meters (mini-tejo, for beginners) and 19.5 meters (official version). The game is played in teams of three or four people, with participants taking turns throwing from one side, then retrieving the discs to start again in the other direction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The score is based on four main actions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n