The Mayans are an ethnolinguistic group of indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica. The ancient Maya civilization was formed by members of this group, and today's Maya is generally descended from people who lived within that historical civilization. Today they inhabit southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador and Honduras. "Maya" is a modern collective term for the peoples of the region, however, the term
was not historically used by the indigenous populations themselves. There was no common sense of identity or political unity among the distinct populations, societies and ethnic groups because they each had their own particular traditions, cultures and historical identity. It is estimated that seven million Maya were living in this area at the start of the 21st century. Guatemala, southern Mexico and the Yucatán Peninsula, Belize, El Salvador and western Honduras have managed to maintain numerous remnants of their ancient cultural heritage. Some are quite integrated into the majority hispanicized mestizo cultures of the nations in which they reside, while others continue a more traditional, culturally distinct life, often speaking one of the Mayan languages as a primary language.
The largest populations of contemporary Maya inhabit Guatemala, Belize, and the western portions of Honduras and El Salvador, as well as large segments of the population within the Mexican states of Yucatán, Campeche, Quintana Roo, Tabasco and Chiapas.(Wikipedia)
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With such a close relationship Mayans become part of the major populations of Mexico. In Mexico, hammocks are made in villages surrounding the capital city of Yucatán, Mérida, and are sold throughout the world as well as locally. However, few people actually know that hammocks were not part of the Classic era Maya civilization; it is said to have arrived in Yucatán from the Caribbean fewer than two centuries before the Spanish conquest. The first hammocks were made with tree barks, palm fronds and many various materials. It become popular to use the fibre from the Henequen to be the material of choice for strong hammocks and Henequen grows naturally in Yucatán which gives the hammocks that made from them to be to have its other name "Yucatan Hammocks".
Sisal is a seaport town in Hunucmá Municipality in the state of Yucatán, Mexico. It was the principal port of Yucatán during the henequen boom, it lent its name to the agave-derived sisal fibre which was shipped through this port mainly in the form of ropes.
The quality of native and modern hammocks depends greatly on the quality of the material, thread, and the number of threads used. Mayan hammocks are made on a loom and are handwoven by men and women. Hammocks are so symbolically and culturally important for the Yucatecans that even the most humble of homes have hammock hooks in the walls. Most of the population of Yucatan still sleep in hammocks because they allow the user to feel much cooler compared to the modern mattresses, in addition, they are easily removed during the day to free some precious space in the rooms. So hammocks here are not just some products used to get a few hours of relaxation under the sun but they are part of Yucatán's culture and a piece of everyday furniture.
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