Jai alai is a traditional sport that originated in Spain's Basque region. It is characterized by two or four players armed with cestas, which are curved wicker baskets, and a hard rubber ball called a pelota. The game is fast-paced and involves throwing the ball against the walls with incredible speed and aiming strategies. There are several synonyms for jai alai, including pelota vasca, Basque pelota, and simply pelota. Another equivalent phrase in Spanish is "balonmano Vasco," which shares similarities with the game of handball. In some regions, it is also known by other names, such as "xistera" in Valencia or "chistera" in Argentina.