Standaardhangmat Beoordelingen

5

donderdag 23 juni 2011

Hangmatten: The Venezuelan Hangmat

The more popularly knows as hammocks are also known by other names like the hangmatten or the hangmat. Hammocks always were, and still are, extremely common in the country of Venezuela where entire villages may be nurtured on hammocks.

This was a practice that also attracted a large population of Western explorers, scientists, geologists and the like because the hammocks provided much needed protection from creatures such as the scorpion and several species of venomous snakes; especially at night. Indeed, the Venezuelan rain forest terrain suits the design and functionalities of hammocks down to the ground.

In fact, pretty soon, the idea of the hammock was being used by Westerners in other tropical countries, effectively popularizing its use even further.

Of course, with its advent in many different countries, the design of the original Venezuelan Hangmat has seen several changes. As it stands, its current incarnation is popularly called the ‘Jungle Hammock’; and has quite a few features that make it invaluable while camping out in tropical forests.

For instance, the panels are usually made with a light, breathable material, which is essential for preventing fungal infections that are extremely common in the humid conditions of all tropical countries.
Netting is also added to protect the user from mosquito bites, an addition that also keeps away crawling insects.

Sometimes, the hangmat also has a water-proof layer of cloth over it, so as to protect the person sleeping on it from the torrential rain that drenches tropical jungles.

In addition, drip strings are also added, that prevent water dripping from the tree trunks and into the person. Often, the drip strings are brushed with some kind of insect repellant to keep out the insects capable of tearing through the protective netting.

Jungle hammocks were extensively used by the US Army during the Vietnam War; thereby warding off poisonous bites and infections- a threat far greater than shrapnel injuries.