Jungle Hammock
The History And Origin Of Hammocks
There is much more to hammocks than the simple, pleasurable act of swinging lazily in the breeze without a care in the world. These comfortable, beneficial, suspended beds were born of necessity, and the history of their creation is an interesting one indeed. There remains a bit of mystery revolving around the origin of hammocks, but one fact is uncontestable: hammocks have been a commonplace tool for both survival and burial since as early as 450 BC. This is the earliest recorded date of the swinging bed, said to have been developed by an unassuming student of Socrates named Alcibiades.
Now, understanding that Greece was worlds away from the jungles and tropical wilds where the hammock is thought to have been developed, and that during this point in time the world was considered flat, square, and frighteningly unsure just past the horizon, we have to assume that Alcibiades just so happened upon an intelligent, logical, and comfortable way to rest which, certainly, was already employed elsewhere in the world. Since he had no way of knowing this, we simply must give him kudos for his efforts and move on to the origin of hammocks decades before. Off to South America we go.
The natives of the wilds in what would later be known as the Amazon Basin had an extremely difficult time surviving the grueling, thick, sticky climates born of their region. Daytime hours were difficult enough, but at least they could see the bugs and stand out of the moisture. When nighttime hours came creeping in, the peoples were simply mauled by both the dampness and the enormous numbers of potentially deadly insects. The origin of the double hammock lay here, in this uncertain and miserable environment, when getting off the ground and covering up every body part meant the difference between survival or death.
There are many ancient forms of hammock making, each stemming from its own tropical region of the earth. Venezuelan, or jungle hammocks, are usually constructed to repel insects and rain, and as such are more like suspended, breathable tents. In Mexico, the origin of hammocks is accredited to the Caribbean, and later perfected on the Yucatan, where the peoples turned the hammock and hammock stand into a symbolic and cultural way of life. Often referred to as Mayan hammocks, these beautiful and intricate swings are not thought to be a part of Mayan culture at all, but adopted by the surrounding peoples after their demise.
About the Author
Jonathan Gal is a lifestyle expert and owner of YCA Hammocks, an organization dedicated to fine outdoor living. To find out more about how outdoor innovations are changing and improving the way we live, you are invited to visit: http://www.ycahammocks.com
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