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The word "hammock" probably derives from "hamack", the tree whose bark fibre was used in the manufacture of the first hammocks by the Mayan civilization in Central America as far back as 2000 B.C.
Stronger, softer cotton thread has now replaced the tree fibre, however the design and method of hammock weaving remain the same.
Hammocks were first introduced from the Americas in the fifteenth century following the invasion of Central America by the Spanish.
They were initially used as beds for crew members aboard the Spanish galleons returning from the "New World".
Officers soon caught on to the idea of saving space by narrowing down the original hammock design, forcing the crew to sleep lengthwise in a fashion never intended.
This distortion of design has remained with us to this day and constitutes the basis for the misconception that all hammocks are the same.
Oviedo sailed to America in 1514, where for over thirty years he compiled detailed ethnographic descriptions of the goods, products, peoples and customs of the Caribbean and Central America. He introduced Europe to a wide variety of previously unheard of New World “exotica” such as the pineapple, the canoe, the smoking of tobacco, and the hammock. The hammock was first introduced to Europeans during Columbus' first voyage of 1492.
“The indians sleep in a bed they call an 'hamaca' which looks like a piece of cloth with both an open and tight weave, like a net ... made of cotton ... about 2.5 or 3 yards long, with many henequen twine strings at either end which can be hung at any height. They are good beds, and clean ... and since the weather is warm they require no covers at all ... and they are portable so a child can carry it over the arm.”
….. La Historia general y natural de las Indias... (Gonzalo Fernandez de Oviedo y Valdes, Seville, 1535).
Mayan hammocks are still used extensively throughout southern Mexico in place of beds, sofas and chairs.
They differ from later copies as their great width allows a flat sleeping posture when lying diagonally.
The hammock in Mexico represents a classic example of a timeless style which reflects the natural strength, harmony and tranquility of the Mexican style of life
and continues to be a major factor influencing contemporary Mexican interior design.
The Mexican Hammock Company works in conjunction with the rural people of southern Mexico in bringing you this product.
One of the aims of the company is to provide an outlet for these craftspeople and hence assist in their struggle towards an improved quality of life through self motivated development.
This Hammock History page was brought to you by:
The Mexican Hammock Company
42 Beauchamp Road, Bristol BS7 8LQ
Tel/Fax: +44 (0)117 942 5353
Email: info@hammocks.co.uk
Web: www.hammocks.co.uk
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