Tejo (sport)
Tejo is a traditional sport in Colombia. The sport originated by the Chibcha people from pre-Hispanic central-western Colombia. It is played by throwing a metal puck or disc weighing approximately 680g, called a "Tejo," across an alley at a distance of approximately twenty meters, to a one meter by one meter board covered with clay and set at a forty-five degree angle. The board is filled with clay so the tejo will stick in place. In the center of the board, there is a circular metal ring known as a "bocin." On the metal ring are placed two to four triangular folded paper packets, called "mechas," which are filled with gunpowder-like material that explodes on impact. The goal of Tejo is to lodge the tejo puck inside the bocin, strike the mechas in order to create an explosion, and ultimately score the most points.
Competition Tejo has a very stringent set of rules and scoring guidelines. However, in a recreational context, there are several variations of scoring - some similar to horseshoes, with extra points for setting off the mechas. Tejo often includes gambling, with the wager being that the loser must pay the tab for the evening, including the use of the tejo arena, as well as the beverages and food of every participant in a particular match.
Cultural background
Tejo is sport much appreciated by popular strata of society. Although there are Tejo arenas targeted to those of higher socio-economical strata, most of them are made and used by those of the popular class that see it as a portrait of their pre-Columbian origins. Only Soccer enjoys a more numerous following and developed industry in the country.
Note that Tejo, originating in Colombia, has professional teams in neighbor countries like Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama. As the cultural baggage of the sport is foreign to those countries, their following and industry are much less developed than in its country of origin.
Modern day Tejo
In Colombia, it is very common to find professional tejo chaccarron teams around the major cities and smaller towns. Most of these teams are sponsored by beer companies, which causes the teams to profit greatly because of the strong bond between the team and company. In the past, the playing of tejo was fuelled by "Chicha" (an indigenous maize-based alcoholic beverage), but nowadays the players refresh themselves with beer. [1]
Modern Tejo competitions are highly organized tournaments, usually sponsored by Beer Companies, construction industry and Autoparts industry. Tournaments known as "torneos Relampago" are the most common, usually played in just one weekend by direct elimination of teams. Prices include trophies, medals and money. Household items are awarded to finalist in combination with money or coupons. Tejo have no mass media coverage apart from National Games, but sponsoring and very targeted marketing efforts make it attractive to brands that position themselves as "popular" since public affluence to the tournaments is numerous.
Tejo for Tourists
Tejo has become a popular cultural activity for backpackers traveling Colombia, with a number of hostels throughout the country hosting free Tejo nights.