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#108544 09/25/05 04:11 PM
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
Marty Offline OP
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The originators of this style of incredibly comfortable hammock were
the ancient Maya. This brilliant people, who devised a highly advanced
mathematics, strongly built pyramids, and a fascinating calendar that
accurately predicted the future, developed the hammock as a
comfortable and safe alternative to sleeping on the ground, subject to
attack from insects and predators. For over 1000 years, Maya Indians
have used hammocks as beds. They were conceived in hammocks, born in
them, slept in them, and died peacefully in them, that is, if they did
not have the misfortune of being mutilated, shredded and killed as
human sacrifice in the ancient Mayan religious festivals. The Hamaca
was designed to be safe as well as comfortable, fashioned in a "sprang
woven" style, which allows the hammock to be able to expand from the
size and and shape of a large ship's hawser to six to eight feet
across or even wider. This stretching weave provides a constant
support as you move about within the hammock. It is literally possible
to become more comfortable in a hammock than in any other device known
to man with the possible exception of a float tank.

The weaving style of the Ancient Maya followed their course of empire
throughout Central and Northern South America. The descendants of the
Maya weave hammocks today in small villages in the Yucatan. and
Central America. Their techniques of weaving originated in the dim
past of these ancient people, whose civilization began two Millennia
BC and evolved with them over the centuries. By the time of the
Spanish conquest hammock weaving had evolved to its current state of
development, using fibers from the Hamac tree. Today, cotton fibers
give the beds of the hammock a wonderful luxurious comfort, while
nylon cord provide powerful suspension. The Hamaca Maya of the Yucatan
is considered to be the finest of their type in the world. Each
hammock has up to two miles of quality cord and can take an
experienced weaver 40 to 90 hours to complete. Soft to the touch, they
are amazingly strong, capable of holding hundreds of pounds. Some have
even been pictured holding the weight of a napping Volkswagon! Even
though they stretch out as long as fourteen or fifteen feet they fold
up into a light compact bundle smaller than a pillow.

Eulogist, poet and hammock historian, James J. Bogan says: "It is not
often scholars can cite the first day a word entered a language but in
1500 on the 27th of April, a Monday, the Portuguese explorer Pero Vaz
de Caminha walked along a sandy beach in Brazil. On that day he noted
in his journal: "In their thatched houses the natives sleep in NETS
that are attached with cords to the wooden beams above. Below always
burns a small fire to keep them warm and to repel bugs and demons." He
saw an Indian dozing happily in what looked like a fishing net, and so
from that day the Portuguese expression for hammock is rede de dormir:
"a net for sleeping."
In English, the word "hammock" came by way of Spanish
con�quistadors,who derived the word hommoca from the Caribs, who wove
fibers of the hammok tree. The ferocious Caribs learned the craft from
a people they had conquered, the inventive, but more peaceable, Arawak
tribe whose own word hammock--ini--trans-lates as: "bed-threads."
And what is more peaceable than a hammock? It accompanies us from our
first day to our last: it is our cradle, our nuptial bower, our
sickbed, our coffin."

#108545 09/25/05 04:12 PM
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
Marty Offline OP
OP Offline
The Art Of Love In a Hammock

By David Fairley


For Immediate Release Contact : David Fairley 360-894-5630


The Art of Love in a Hammock


Instead of mindlessly rushing out and buying the token box of chocolates or dozen roses

for your sweetheart this year, David Fairley suggests wooing your amour with a

romantic rendezvous in a hammock. The self- professed Hammock King and owner of

www.hammocks.com , the largest hammock specialty webstore, recommends giving a

queen or king size Mayan hammock to demonstrate your love. These enormous web-like

hand-woven hammocks, which Fairley refers to as "dangerously comfortable", can be

strung up easily indoors to be enjoyed even on a frosty February evening. If your

imagination needs a little jump start, the Hammock Sutra calendar will inspire even the

most conservative of couples. "Lying in a hammock with your partner can be an

incredibly intimate and cozy experience" says Fairley , who is regularly asked if making

love in a hammock is possible. This question is so popular that it had to be

emphasized and ranked highly in the frequently asked Questions(FAQ) section of his

website. For adventurous couples looking for creative ways to express themselves this

Valentine's Day and beyond, hammocks can offer a new and exciting outlet beyond there

common relaxation function. "There were several ideas that even I had not thought of"

admits The King , referring to the latest 2001 Hammock Sutra calendar, which he says "

is really quite tame". Fairley acknowledges that the standard chocolate, flowers,

card gift pack will remain a strong tradition, he is quick to remind us that "while

chocolates will be consumed quickly and Roses will drop their petals, a hammock will be

the Valentine's day gift that keeps on giving all year long."

#108546 09/26/05 01:49 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 86
U
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U
Quote
They were conceived in hammocks, born in
them, slept in them, and died peacefully in them, that is, if they did
not have the misfortune of being mutilated, shredded and killed as
human sacrifice in the ancient Mayan religious festivals
I liked the article about the orgins of the hammocks, but it always rubs me the wrong way how us "civilized" people view religous sacrifaces. To give ones life to the divine is one of the most selfless acts a person can commit. Although it doesnt fit into the ethos of our current culture, I find it inaccurate to view these people as savages because of this act. They were giving up there life for the benifit of other, isnt that the definantion of hero? The benifits may not be obvious, but are the results of any religious ceremony ever easily perceived? Also how about Christianity killing 5 million women in its history (Crusades, Inquisitions, and witch hunts.) They killed women for no reason at all, in the name of the lord. Plus the concept of women hatred has bleed over into other religions, Islam as an example. They treat there women like shit, and Christians point the finger at them and call them immoral, immoral for praciting a concept they created (and would still practice if it wasn't for women demanding freedom.) So its not like our own religion doesn't have blood on its hands. Anyhow don't let something we don't understand, or agree with make a beautiful culture seem like savages. These are just my thoughts for the day, not a direct response to the quote above. I know whoever wrote it meant no harm at all smile
-Cheese

#108547 09/26/05 02:06 PM
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,955
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Great article Marty -- thanks! Sorry Cheese, I saw no disrespect to Mayan culture in this article. The fact that you could be "mutilated, shredded and killed" had no judgement attached to it. It's a true statement that provoaked a reaction in you. In addition, there was no absolution for the atrocities committed in the name of Christianity, Islam, or anything else for that matter -- it is what it is.


I will have a Belikin -- put it on klcman's tab.
#108548 09/26/05 03:25 PM
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8
K
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K
Are Mayan hammocks a step above your everyday-run-of-the-mill hammock? I've lain for a while in hammocks before, and ended up with a crick in my neck, and the impint of a net in my bum. Not what I'd call relaxing.

#108549 09/26/05 06:42 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 8,880
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Krav, some of them aren't that comfortable . . .in particular many of the nylon hammocks. That said, I've lain for hours and hours in a tightly woven but soft cotton hammock. I so fell in love with it, I wanted to take one home. Unfortunately, it was very heavy for transport. One thing I noticed about the difference in a hammock's comfort was how tightly it was strung up. When strung with more give, they were considerably more comfortable.


A fish and a bird can fall in love, but where will they build their nest?

#108550 09/27/05 04:01 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 86
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To me "mutilated, shredded, and killed" does have a negative twist to profound religous event, however my response wasn't meant as direct response to the thread...It just got me thinking about a few things so I thought i'd share them. I just think its odd how the native people of the Americas are consider "savages" when infact they were intellegent peaceful people. But let me reiterate, this is a generalization...not a direct response to this thread. I enjoyed the article.
-Wine

#108551 09/27/05 05:00 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,479
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S
Slightly on topic but if my memory serves me correctly the hammocks on the island are a heck of a lot cheaper than those listed on the website.


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