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Hammocks - The History of the Hammock
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Hammocks - The History of the Hammock | ||||||||
THE HISTORY OF THE HAMMOCKYou may be fascinated by the history of where such a heavenly partner in leisure may have come from, as you sit back and muse in your new hammock. It is generally established that hammocks started their existence as creative beds for the native peoples of the Americas. Hammocks had the benefit of keeping the sleeper off the ground and away from pests such as snakes and scorpions, and the beds suited the scorching, damp Central and South American and Caribbean weather perfectly. The hammock was developed in pre-Colombian South America or the Caribbean. It was not a single-use article for pre-Colombian civilizations; it was also used as a fishing net, and the word “hamaca” accurately means a throwing fish net, though the term almost certainly derived from the name of the tree from which the fibrous bark was taken to weave the original hamacas – the hamak tree. The sisal plant later replaced the bark as the material of choice for the hammock because it was more plentiful, and rubbing the fibers against the thigh or beating them against a rock could soften them, making the hammock more comfortable. Sisal was also more durable. Before long, the hammocks were made from a variety of materials and fabrics, which expanded the styles. Christopher Columbus, who found out about the hammock from the Taino people in the Bahamas, presented it to the Europeans. Blankets have served the same purpose among ancient tribes in other parts of the world, but the plaited hammock seems to be native to the Western Hemisphere. Soon after Columbus dropped anchor in the “New World” hoping to find shiploads of gems, spices and fine silks he found, instead, a collection of natives in the Bahamas lying around in hammocks for their afternoon siesta. Did you know that hammocks were first made 1000 years ago? Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Costa Rica in Central America, and Brazil and Ecuador in South America, as well as the Caribbean countries, have a rich and ancient legacy linked with hammocks that predate North Americans by 800-900 years. The hammock unsurprisingly found its way into the hearts and homes of millions of natives because of the extensive trade routes that were created between the Indian nations of Central and South America and the Caribbean.
In 1570 historian Pero de Magalhães Gàndavo confirmed the total incorporation of
the hammock into the lives of European colonials in Brazil:
In 1500 Portugese scribe Pero Vaz de Caminha first slept in a hammock, and 100 years later Jean de Lery wrote:
Mayan Hammock HistoryNo hammock has a richer history than the Mayan hammock. These hammocks originated in the Yucatan region of Mexico, a region known for its fine food, its rich history and pyramids, its moderate weather and its beautiful, gulf coast beaches. The design and technique of hammock weaving remain the same, though stronger, softer cotton thread is now used instead of the tree fiber. Mayan hammocks are made of nylon and cotton nowadays, though the early Mayan hammocks were also made of cotton, soon after the Spaniards brought in the fiber to the region. All through southern Mexico hammocks are still used extensively instead of beds, sofas and chairs. These hammocks are a typical illustration of an ageless style, which mirrors the innate power and harmony of the Mexican lifestyle and continues to be a main factor influencing modern Mexican interior design. Hammocks are where Mayans are conceived, born, raised and die, encompassing nearly every facet of their lives. It takes one person a few weeks to complete one decent sized hammock. Because of the Mayan hammock’s recognition and rising demand, entire villages across the state of Yucatan devote their lives to making hammocks. It is a family business and a way of life that is passed on from generation to generation. A major portion of the contemporary manufacture of hammocks takes place in Merida, the largest city in Mexico. Hammock weaving remains a key source of revenue for people in this region. Hammocks are customary objects in nearly all houses in the Yucatan. Quality and materials take priority in the creation of these hammocks. You will literally feel as though you are floating on a cloud when you nestle into a Mayan hammock. Hammocks In North America And EuropeHammocks in North America were still regarded as a novelty in the 18th century. Most hammocks were narrow with wood staves, and required nimbleness and a sense of balance on the part of the user. The hammock only became fashionable in North America in the 1880s, with the introduction of a wider version. Since a hammock moves together with the motion of ships, and the sleeper is not at risk of being thrown to the floor, hammocks have also by tradition been used by sailors on sailing vessels. Naval vessels also used hammocks to save space. The Europeans generally used canvas cloth for their hammocks, which the Navy used for three centuries. The sailors of Britain and France have pronounced the hammock comfortable, practical and useful for getting a good night’s sleep while at sea. In nineteenth century Britain the prison system included the hammock as their standard sleeping apparatus because of its space saving qualities. They were slung using big brass hooks that were fixed firmly to the walls. This proved to be successful until the inmates found that the brass hooks could be used as weapons, and their use was terminated. There has been a giant surge in hammock popularity recently, and there is at present a broad diversity of hammocks available. Over the past few years, the use of hammocks in the backcountry has become increasingly popular. The history of its use among outdoorsmen is hazy. The hammock has definitely earned its space in the chronicles of history and certainly a place somewhere in our life nowadays – indoors or out – and will go on to play a major role in human relaxation into the distant future. About the Author:
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