Mayan Hammocks - Summer's Best Kept Outdoor Decorating Secret Accessory

Sociologist and anthropologists trace back the Mayan hammock some 3000 years. It made its appearance arrived in the Yucatán more than two centuries before the Spanish conquest. As the Mayan cultural grew in dominance, the hammock became synonymous with the Mayan civilization.  One could say that the Mayan hammock is what helped their civilization thrive. The hammock provided the Mayans with security and protection as they slept. The Mayan hammock protected the sleeper from snakes and other ground crawling dwellers as well as raising the sleeper above mud and other unhygienic conditions. An elevated sleeping area also exposed the sleeper to cool breezes necessary for staying comfortable in the humid rainforests of Central America. The fist Mayan hammocks were woven from the fibrous bark of the hamack tree before the evolution to more standard material found today.

The Mayan hammocks of today are found throughout the region and Southern Mexico. In Mexico, authentic Mayan hammocks are still made by Mayan women and families in villages surrounding the capital city of the Yucatán, Merida, and are sold throughout the world as well as locally.

The Mayan hammocks are still very much a family business. Using two needles and a loom, it can take several weeks to make a decent sized Mayan hammock. Made in the small villages of the Yucatan, the Mayan hammock trade contributes to the economic independence and self sufficiency of the Mayan communities. The finished Mayan hammocks are gathered by wholesalers before they make it to market and your favorite spot.

Mayan hammocks are made with cotton or nylon string. The most comfortable Mayan hammocks are made of a cotton weave which makes them very flexible yet incredibly supportive. Most cotton Mayan hammocks do not use spreader bar allowing the hammock to cradle or contour to your body for even greater comfort. This feature has also made them especially practical as a natural infant cradle to gently rock their children to sleep.

Mayan hammocks are extremely light weight, but have the ability to hold large amounts of weight.  Mayan hammocks can be used outdoors on a stand or easily strung up between two trees. With their beautiful, vibrant colors, Mayan hammocks are the perfect summer accessory. Their comfort is unmatched and their colors bring a sense of serenity to your backyard and patio environment. For those looking for those elusive outdoor accessory, Mayan hammocks bring a unique decorative touch to your outdoor space. Mayan hammocks make for a great garden hammock too.

Mayan hammocks can also be accessorized with pillows or Mexican serapes. Serapes are handcrafted striped cotton blankets that are synonymous with the post colonial Mexican culture. Wrap a serape as you lie in your Mayan hammock or lay one out on the grass for an afternoon snooze or picnic. These colorful Mexican serapes can also be used indoors to add a touch of Mexican decorative style.

Mayan hammocks can also be strung up indoors as well, by inserting hooks in wall studs or ceiling beams. They are great for all climates and are especially convenient for small apartments and dorm rooms for extra seating or even an extra place to sleep. They can also be used to store goods like sleeping bags and packs while traveling or camping.

The general rule is to get the largest hammock you can because the larger your hammock is, the more comfortable you will feel when using it. Mayan hammocks are woven with an open style, with no spreader bar, which allows the hammock to expand and contract freely. This means that larger size hammocks will provide more strands in the same amount of space when stretched out to your body's length. For example, a tall person will have to stretch a single hammock all the way out like a net, to lie in it. On the other hand, a king size Mayan hammock will open effortlessly and provide extra webbing even for a tall or large person. This means the weave will remain tight so the Mayan hammock looks and feels like a solid piece of cloth, yet gently rapping the extra webbing around your body, providing a superior level of comfort.

With summer on the way, there is no better way to make the most of those lazy days of summer than with colorful Mayan hammocks. If you plan to entertain with afternoon barbeques and backyard picnics, you can expect your Mayan hammock to be the hit of the party.