Hala’s Mayan Hammocks: Mexican Handmade Crafts & More
Tara A. Spears
There are now two Hamaca Maya locations in La Penita: the newest shop is in the south end of town near the bridge of life, on Amado Nervo #6 while the main boutique is near the town square at the end of main street/ the divided avenida. (Above photos.)
An uninformed person might think, ‘That’s just another souvenir shop.’ Nope; Hamaca Maya is a slice of real Mexicana folk art and an opportunity to interact with the dynamic proprietress, Hala Hazzi. For 16 years Hala has been a pillar of the community, donating to every fundraiser in the area. If you want to know what’s happening in La Penita, Hala is your go to source- and she’s fun! It’s easy to see why so many trip advisers recommend a visit to Hala’s shops; the boutiques reflect her flair for color and Hala’s charming, warm personality.
Each unique shop features only Mexican handmade crafts. It’s a wonderful opportunity to get an authentic piece of folk art to take home as a reminder of your vacation and a great conversation starter. For those of us who live here, purchasing art from Hamaca Maya is bringing positive vibes into our home with the beautiful item. As you enter the shop, the sign says it all “stress free zone.”
The main attraction at Hala’s shop is the huge selection of Mayan Hammocks. Perhaps you don’t know that while the hammock originated in southern Mexico/Central America where the Maya and other indigenous peoples crafted them out of tree bark or plant fibers, the modern Mayan hammocks are widely considered to be the most comfortable in the world.
When Hala was working as a travel agent, she took a tour of a Mayan hammock cooperative and learned about the women making hammocks. From this experience Hala was inspired to support the work of the indigenous craftswomen by opening a shop that would feature authentic Hamaca Maya product. From other travels throughout Mexico, Hala embraced tin art, silver crafts, onyx and talavera from Puebla. If you can appreciate one of a kind art, this is your store! It’s an amazing collection of very unique stuff.
Back to why the lowly hammock has remained popular for hundreds of years. It is thought that Columbus and his men were the first Europeans to glimpse the hammock. The explorers noticed the widespread use of hammocks among the native people. It was Columbus who brought several examples of the woven sleeping nets back to Spain.
Throughout what is now Latin America, the colonists preferred to use hammocks rather than stick with the stationary beds of their former country, in part because of the soothing motion and hygiene benefits of hammocks. Lying on the ground in the tropics meant sharing space with dirt, mold, spiders, ants, snakes.
By the mid-16th century, the English and Spanish navies had adopted hammocks as their primary on-deck sleeping apparatuses. Unlike its counterpart in North-Central America the European take on the hammock was typically made of heavy canvas and therefore significantly less ventilated than its original form. Sailors stewed in these portable yet famously uncomfortable beds for three centuries. From the Civil War until the Vietnam War, members of the U.S. Navy were also issued hammocks for sleeping on the go.
The Mayan Hammock is a light, sprang woven webbing that opens effortlessly to accommodate the user. The authentic Mayan hammock is woven of thin strings, yet can hold up to a thousand pounds. The Maya Woman’s Coop participants spend a 100 hours or more weaving each hammock. These hammocks are true works of art. What adds value to the handmade hammock is the quality of yarn, the complexity of the pattern, and positioning of the knots. Don’t be fooled by the wooden spreader bar: it is a North American modification and not necessary for sleeping comfort. Think of it as a style choice. 
Don’t be dismayed when the seller asks you which size hammock you’d like. Single size hammocks are about 3 feet wide and suitable for one person. It’s also the easiest to pack in a suitcase for traveling. The matrimonial size is approximately 5 feet (1.5 meter) wide and the king size hammock is generally 6 feet (1.8 meters) wide; they are all the same length of approximately 10 feet (3 meters) which comfortably fits an 8 .5 foot space.
Today, the Mayan hammocks are widely considered to be the most comfortable in the world. They are hand woven by the Mayan Indians from the Yucatan peninsula and other Mexican states who use traditional techniques passed down from generation to generation.
The key to the Mayan hammocks’ legendary comfort is the weave pattern, which wraps around the body to create a “cocoon” effect. The Hamaca Maya is li
ght and can also be easily stretched to accommodate one or more users. Hammock customers have often equated this feeling to total zero gravity weightlessness. The colors are vivacious and uplifting – enhancing the decor of any indoor or outdoor setting.
For indoor use an excellent choice is the classic Mayan cotton hammock as it is the softest in feel of all Mayan hammocks. The nylon hammock is a bit sturdier and more durable in high humid environments, and as such, is recommended for rainforest, jungle, and extreme
maritime locations, but should not be used in high UV environments. This is because today’s nylon hammocks are actually polypropylene, which tends to degrade in strong sunlight.
Once you try a Hamaca Maya you’ll soon find out why people who take relaxation seriously make Mayans their top hammock choice. Hala’s shops carry an assortment of related hammock accessories and she can advise you concerning installation. There are so many reasons to visit one Hamaca Maya locations- something for everyone!
