In the remote indigenous village of Hondzonot, Quintana Roo, a group of women began gathering on a dusty field to play a sport that was never meant for them—at least according to their community’s traditional expectations. What started as a simple recreational escape for homemakers has grown into something much greater: a symbol of resistance, empowerment, and cultural pride.
Las Diablillas de Hondzonot, a softball team composed entirely of Maya women, have done more than just compete. They have challenged deeply ingrained gender norms, preserved their indigenous identity, and gained national recognition for their unique approach to the game.
But their story is not just about softball. It is about women who dared to step outside predefined roles, found their voice through sport, and reshaped the landscape of female empowerment in rural Mexico.
From Backyard Games to National Attention
It all started in 2018 when a few women in Hondzonot, most of them housewives and mothers, wanted an activity to break the monotony of daily chores. Inspired by the men who played baseball in the village, they picked up wooden sticks, used tennis balls, and formed their makeshift version of the sport.
At first, no one took them seriously. In a town where women were expected to focus on household responsibilities, raising children, and traditional handicrafts, playing softball seemed like a distraction—if not outright defiance.
But the women persisted. When they heard about a municipal tournament with a prize of 1,500 pesos, they saw an opportunity—not just to play but to prove themselves. Without proper equipment, without uniforms, and without anyone expecting them to win, they entered the tournament.
They didn’t win that day, but something even more important happened: the experience ignited their passion. They realized they weren’t just playing a sport—they were fighting for something bigger.
And so, they became Las Diablillas—a name that was once used as an insult but that they proudly reclaimed.
The Cultural Statement Behind Their Uniform
One of the most visually striking aspects of Las Diablillas is their choice of attire. While other teams wear athletic gear, these women take the field barefoot and dressed in white huipiles—traditional embroidered dresses worn by Maya women for generations.
This is not an aesthetic decision; it is a declaration of identity.
By refusing to conform to standard uniforms, Las Diablillas are making it clear: they are not just athletes—they are Maya women, and they play on their own terms.
Their choice of playing without shoes is equally meaningful. For some, it is about comfort—after all, many of them grew up walking barefoot on the soft Yucatán soil. But on a deeper level, it is an act of defiance against imposed norms, proving that modern sports and indigenous traditions are not mutually exclusive.
In a world where indigenous identities are often overlooked or diluted, Las Diablillas are a living example of cultural resilience.
Facing Backlash: Breaking Barriers in a Machista Society
The road to recognition was not smooth.
For generations, Maya women in rural communities have been expected to live within rigid gender roles, focusing on domestic work and caregiving. The idea of competing, traveling, and dedicating time to sports was seen as inappropriate.
Las Diablillas faced criticism, ridicule, and even resistance from their own families. They were told to return home, to focus on their “real” responsibilities. Some husbands opposed their participation, believing it took time away from household duties. Others in the community mocked them, saying sports were for men.
But they refused to stop.
Little by little, they earned respect. As they began winning games and proving their dedication, attitudes shifted. Their husbands and children started coming to watch. Other women in the village began joining them. The same men who once dismissed them as a joke started cheering from the sidelines.
What began as an act of defiance became a movement of change—not just in Hondzonot, but in other nearby Maya communities as well.
Juggling Family, Work, and Sport
The women of Las Diablillas are more than just athletes.
Many of them wake up before sunrise to cook for their families, send their children to school, and finish their household chores before heading to practice. Some work as artisans, embroidering huipiles or selling handmade crafts to support their families. Others take care of small farms, livestock, or local businesses.
Playing softball does not replace their responsibilities—it adds another dimension to their lives. And despite the challenges of juggling multiple roles, they remain committed.
On game days, their children often run along the sidelines, watching their mothers with admiration. It is not uncommon to see young girls wearing mini huipiles, imitating their mothers as they throw imaginary pitches.
For these women, the game is not just for them. It is for the next generation, for the daughters who will grow up believing that they, too, can break the mold.
Recognition and Legacy
Over the past few years, Las Diablillas has gained national recognition. They have been featured in major newspapers, television segments, and social media campaigns highlighting women’s empowerment in sports.
In 2021, they were invited to meet President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, a moment that brought them unprecedented visibility. For the first time, a team of Maya women from a rural village was recognized on a national stage—not as a curiosity, but as serious athletes and role models.
Their story has inspired the formation of other women’s softball teams across Yucatán and Quintana Roo, proving that what they started is much bigger than a single team.
And they have ambitions beyond their village. They dream of competing at higher levels, securing sponsorships, and proving that indigenous women have a place in national sports—without having to compromise their identity.
A Message of Empowerment
The impact of Las Diablillas is not just measured in runs, wins, or trophies.
It is measured in the young girls who now believe they can do more than what is expected of them. It is measured in the husbands who have learned to support their wives’ dreams. It is measured in a rural community where women, for the first time, feel seen and valued beyond their traditional roles.
In a country where indigenous communities continue to face discrimination and economic hardship, Las Diablillas are proof that sport can be a vehicle for change—one that transcends generations and breaks down barriers that once seemed immovable.
Their legacy will not be written in history books or record boards.
It will be written in the lives they’ve touched, the perceptions they’ve changed, and the barriers they’ve shattered.
Las Diablillas is more than a team.
They are a revolution
What do you think about the story of Las Diablillas de Hondzonot? Have you ever seen a sports team challenge gender norms and redefine what is possible? Join the discussion on our social media platforms and share your thoughts
