The hammock is a seemingly simple yet essential piece of boat equipment. Its history extends far beyond its use at sea. From the era of maritime exploration to contemporary navigation, this suspended sleeping device has become a symbol of comfort and practicality at sea. Here's a look back at the history of the hammock, its vital role on board, and its evolution over the centuries.
Ancient origins: an artifact from pre-Columbian civilizations
The hammock has its roots in the civilizations of Central and South America. As early as 1,000 B.C., the Taïnos, an indigenous people of the Caribbean, were already making and using hammocks. The term '' hamaka this ingenious object is woven from natural fibers such as sisal, hemp, linen and cotton. From its origins to the present day, the hammock fulfilled a primordial need: to provide a resting place sheltered from insects, crawling animals and the ever-present dampness of the ground.
At the time, the hammock was much more than a utilitarian device. It was deeply rooted in the culture of indigenous peoples, representing both a symbol of security and a link with nature. The language of the Taïnos, linked to the Mayas, reflects this symbolism, notably in the myths of the Colombian peoples.
In one of these stories, a jaguar hides in a hammock in human form, but its true nature is revealed when it falls asleep and the form entangled in the fabric wavers and then topples over. The hammock thus embodies a liminal space, a kind of device for metamorphosis. In certain cultures, it envelops the dead whose bodies are buried, women give birth in it, and it cradles newborn babies.
The hammock's entry into European history
The major turning point for the hammock came at the end of the 15th century, with the arrival of European explorers. In 1492, Christopher Columbus discovered the hammocks used by the Taïnos on the island of Hispaniola (now Haiti and the Dominican Republic). Fascinated by the ingenuity of this object, he brought hammocks back to Europe, where they quickly aroused interest, particularly among sailors.
At the time, life aboard ship was characterized by rudimentary comfort, with bunks that were often uncomfortable and exposed to wave action. The hammock, suspended and mobile, provided an ideal solution. Nicknamed the "branle", it enabled sailors to sleep more comfortably while absorbing some of the boat's jolts thanks to the ropes (the "araignées") that supported it. The hammocks were allocated alternately to members of each crew, with each group (tribordais and bâbordais) benefiting from a half-day's rest. In this way, everyone could rest in turn.
When folded up and neatly stowed on the bulwark of warships, hammocks also served as shields, protecting the crew from enemy projectiles: a defensive use that gave rise to the expression "branle-bas de combat".
Today, many cultures still use hammocks on boats. From the fishermen of Southeast Asia to those of Latin America, this age-old tradition inherited from 16th-century European sailors remains a practical and ergonomic choice. Used for its compactness and comfort, the hammock has become indispensable, as is the case on small transit boats where space is limited and comfort rare.
A timeless sailing companion
Today, the hammock continues to play an essential role aboard modern pleasure yachts, with variants more adapted to sailing conditions. For example, models in hard-wearing ripstop fabric have been developed to provide greater comfort and durability.
When sailing, if some yachtsmen choose to sleep in them, it's important to ensure that the hammock is well set up, with a certain turning radius so as not to hit anything.
The hammock has also become a much-appreciated relaxation object during anchor breaks, where it is often suspended from strategic points such as the spinnaker pole, boom or bowsprit.
Some illustrations show how to sit in a hammock. The Dominican missionary Raymond Breton, in a French-Caribbean dictionary, mentions an expression in the local language at the time: '' Keyeyecoua tiem larangon callinago, tichati balanagle which means: '' The savage lies round and crosswise, the Frenchman stretched out and long ''. It's this difference in positioning that explains why the hammock was modified in the West with the addition of wooden bars at each end to keep it flat and wide apart.
Latin Americans, on the other hand, never use these bars in their hammocks. The diagonal position of the hammock distributes the body's weight evenly, reducing pressure on sensitive points and promoting better blood circulation and a general state of well-being. The natural rocking motion of the hammock also helps to soothe the mind and promote restful sleep, which is essential after long voyages.
The history of the hammock reminds us that certain objects, even though they originate from ancient cultures, survive the centuries by adapting to their new contexts. Today, still widely used aboard boats and even in more urban environments, the hammock retains its appeal due to its simplicity, efficiency and the benefits it brings to those who dare to sit in it. After all, few objects can claim to have survived more than 10 centuries and remain so popular today. And there's no end to the wacky new uses they've invented, such as rowing hammocks - proof that human ingenuity knows no bounds!
