The mayan origin of hammocks.

If we visit the Yucatan peninsula, into the Mayan communities, we can see that in most of the houses there is a type of net hanging from the extremes. These are the hammocks, and they are used to rest.

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Rutopía will accompany you.

Even, in some Mayan homes, hammocks are used instead of beds. This is because they are too comfortable due to the hot climate of the area.

However, hammocks have delighted everyone. Now, not only can we find them in the peninsula, but many people from all over the world are looking for one.

With Rutopia you can travel and rest on a hammock in front of the sea.

Therefore, different versions have been created and today we can see them in many beaches and hotels around the world.  More and more people are also buying one to complement the perfect home and backyard.

The origin of hammocks.

Actually, there are several stories that explain the origin of the hammock. It was believed that, due to the importance they now have for the Mayans, they were part of their ancestral knowledge. However, this is not entirely true.

Hammocks were first seen by the Spaniards when they passed through the Antilles in the Caribbean. The name comes from the word hamac of Haitian origin, which means tree, because they were made with the wood bark of these.

Visit the Caribbean beaches in Mexico with Rutopia. Request your trip here. 

Later, upon arriving to the Yucatan peninsula due to the intense heat, the Spaniards decided to adapt them to rest. Thus, their use spread throughout the region.

The truth is that when the Europeans arrived, hammocks already existed in different Latin American regions, such as the Caribbean and Colombia. The pre-colonial Mayas had a similar object, but it was later replaced.

The Mayan hammocks.

Because of this, the Mayan communities took this object from the Spaniards and made it their own. Today the Mayan hammock or Yucatecan hammock is one of the main exports from the peninsula.

In Yucatan their use was improved, new weavings and knots were invented and different materials were used until the traditional hammocks we know today were created. Many Maya families are dedicated to weaving hammocks.

In the community of Unajil Ek Balam this is already a tradition and the women are dedicated to weaving hammocks by hand. From Rutopía we take you to meet the community and its traditions.

Request your trip here.

On this trip you will not only learn more about hammocks and their history, but you can enjoy a workshop where you will learn how to weave your own hammock. You will be able to weave with the artisans themselves and they would share their techniques with you.

You can’t miss the experience. To take this workshop click here. 

In addition, you will be able to keep that traditional souvenir from the heart of the community to have a piece of Mexico in your home.

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If you liked this article and want to experience other workshops to make your own crafts, you can also visit:

Engraving jícara workshop at Mun Ha community.

Gastronomic workshop of tamales cooked underground.

Handcrafted embroidery in Acaxochitlán.