The Washington Post
THE BA
The Kirkwall Ba is perhaps the oldest and most physical sport in the world. It has been played annually on Christmas and New Year's Day for over two centuries on the streets of Kirkwall, Scotland.
A cork filled ball is thrown from the Mercat Cross on the lawn of the St. Magnus Cathedral and is contested by the Uppies and the Doonies. In the ba game, a writhing mass of humanity attempts to push the ball to a designated location, the Doonies team push to the sea and the Uppies to a wall across town. Ian Gorn of the Uppies won following a 3 hour and 50 minute battle.
