Origin of hammocks: Latin America, expertise and quality.

Latin America: the land of quality hammocks ?

The first discovery of the hammock there was made 5 centuries ago by Christopher Columbus.. Archaeologists agree that this object has existed there for 1000 years. It is absent in Africa and very rarely used in Asia. In Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, there is a small tradition related more to babies and traveling.

In Latin America, a thousand years of history have culminated in a refined object, complete with its codes, subtleties, styles, brands, and manufacturing techniques that vary entirely from one country to another. Today, thanks to the Internet, an artisan in El Salvador can discover how hammocks are made in Pernambuco, Brazil, some 6,500 km away !

Do you think that "Bordeaux wine" can be made in Argentina? No, of course not, because it is protected by various appellations. As for the... hammocks, the terms "Colombian hammock,BrazilianOr evenMexican", no longer mean anything. Nowadays, the vast majority found on the internet are imitations coming from Asia. The canvases stretch out, the sizes are tiny, the thread is of poor quality (a lot of polyester). But they look so much like the originals that the temptation to save money is strong!" !

Hammocks from Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela, and Mexico: the South American classics.

Here are the 4 largest countries in the hammock. I have been exploring them since 1988 in search of the most beautiful models. The passion never leaves me, and one of my latest trips in 2017 allowed me to...3500 km inland in the desert lands of the Sertao Brazilian. By bus, motorcycle, or taxi, all means were good to visit many artisans who use ancestral weaving techniques. Labyrinth weaving, bobbin lace, Richelieu embroidery, star stitch...

Reluctantly, I had to give up traveling to Venezuela because the political tensions there are too intense and the danger is ever-present.

At Tropical Influences, find the authenticity:

All our models come from Latin America. Mainly small businesses renowned in their own countries. We have been working faithfully with the same producers sometimes for more than 20 years. Close ties have developed over time. For the... high-end and handmade models, We place our orders with the same artisans, always paying close attention to the thread they use. Sometimes we provide them with the thread.

The Brazilian hammock:

It is undoubtedly the greatest hammock country. Immense in size and population, it is the country with the largest number of hammock sleepers and, correspondingly, the greatest number of factories and artisans. From the Amazon in the north to Minas Gerais in the south, nearly a hundred million Brazilians use it as their everyday bed! The inhabitants of the southern states, where it is colder, only use it for relaxation.

The selection is very wide. From the ultra-economical model that costs only 4 Euros and that politicians give away during campaigns to buy votes, to the branded model sold in luxury boutiques in São Paulo for several thousand Euros. There are many brands in Brazil. The most beautiful one is on our website!Hammocks from Brazil.

The Colombian hammock:

A country much smaller than Brazil but which also has a very rich culture. There, there are two words to describe this age-old object: "chinchorro" if it is made of netting and "hamaca" if it is made of fabric. The craftsmanship in this country is always of high quality because Colombians appreciate well-made things and pay a fair price. The Wayuu Indians in the northeast weave the most renowned hammocks. Some are sold in art galleries (Galeria Cano). The hammocks from San Jacinto are entirely handmade with such tight weaving. The quality in this country is such that their hammocks are passed down from father to son. Even the semi-industrial economical models last between 10 and 15 years for most of our customers!Colombian hammocks.

The Mexican hammock:

For many connoisseurs, itWould be the most comfortable that exists in the world !Apart from the models for tourists, there is only one style: the mesh. What's the point of making anything else if it’s going to be worse! They are fresh, soft, and above all very stretchy thanks to a4-thread knit which nowadays is done entirely by hand. Discover ourXL Mexican hammocks.Ourmodels from Chiapas.

Our article on the Mexican hammock nowadays.

The Venezuelan hammock:

Mysterious country where it is very difficult to understand all the codes due to a Bolivarian policy of wealth sharing. Except that today, all the wealth has disappeared! Hammocks are increasingly hard to find there. Artisans struggle to import cotton thread to be able to work. It's a real shame because for me, who is constantly searching for the best hammocks in the world, the canvas hammock from Barquisimeto is the most comfortable that exists in the world. The net hammock is also one of the best; it is so rare. We still have some...hammocks from Venezuela, Hurry up!!!

What are the differences between Latin American hammocks and Asian hammocks ?

Apart from the price, which will be a bit lower, what will be the difference?

The main difference lies in the elasticity of the canvas.. The hammock fabric corresponds to a very specific machine setting. You cannot manufacture hammock fabric on a machine that is also used to make curtain fabric or table linen. In the end, you quickly get a fabric that is too loose and "baggy," and you find yourself sinking in too much, stuck, having to push hard with your legs to open it properly.

But other small details also appear:

• Colombian model made in China and IndiaThe pullado (seams of the fabric that connect the hem to the sleeves) does not hold. The fabric opens up and tears little by little, and the sleeves become unbalanced quite quickly. We no longer repair them in the store because it is not worth it.
• Mexican model made in China and India : it does not respect the original four-thread knit and the yarn is really too elastic. The knit is a bit too loose and you will easily get your clothing buttons caught.
• Brazilian modelThe booming economy and the very strong Brazilian currency have made their models unaffordable. Today, they are mostly imitated in Asia. At Tropical Influences We are resisting! As an importer, we eliminate the middlemen and, as a result, can offer unbeatable value for money.

Where are the real hammocks located?

How to recognize the true origin ? French law requires that the origin be indicated on the labels of each product, but does not require it to be displayed on a website or in a store. Some retailers will be careful not to inform you. It is therefore up to you to know how to avoid the pitfalls. In 2021, there are only 3 companies left in France that offer genuine Latin American hammocks.

Note: When in 2011 the global price of cotton doubled in six months and India (the world's largest producer) announced that it would no longer subsidize its exports, all the major brands and other key players in the textile sector turned to India and China. It became clear that the future of textiles would be there. Production was therefore quickly relocated. In 2012, China built up huge cotton stocks to anticipate this price increase. This, for example, led Colombia to see all its spinning industries disappear.

The origin "Latin America" is a guarantee of comfort, durability, quality of the fabric, and respect for traditions. No Chinese or Indian company can match 1000 years of Latin American weaving history.

The only items we import from China are the metal hammock stand because we cannot find them anywhere else and their quality/price ratio is excellent. Moreover, we can impose our own models and our quality. Like the support Azteka Relax for example.

Since 2016, we have also been importing...larch wood supports from China. Our spruce supports come from Poland.