Question 1: What material was traditionally used to make hammocks?
- Tree bark
- Cotton
- Hemp
Correct Answer: Tree bark
Fact: Hammocks were crafted from the bark of trees by the Indigenous peoples of Central and South America. The process involved peeling the bark, which was then softened and spun into ropes or woven into fabric strips. Later people switched to sisal fiber because it was easily accessible.
Question 2: Which city in Central America sits in ‘The Valley of the Hammocks’?
- Panama City
- Managua
- San Salvador
Correct Answer: San Salvador
Fact: San Salvador is the capital of El Salvador, a country that is a large producer of hammocks. ‘The Valley of the Hammocks’ nickname comes from the region’s history of frequent seismic activity, where the land’s motion resembles the swaying of a hammock. The colonizing Spaniards introduced the term. Salvadorans often use hammocks to take afternoon naps and these sleeping swings can be found in every house there.
Question 3: Which famous explorer documented the use of hammocks?
- Christopher Columbus
- James Cook
- Marco Polo
Correct Answer: Christopher Columbus
Fact: When Columbus came across the Tauno people of the Caribbean during his 1492 voyage, he was introduced to hammocks. Made from woven tree bark or plant fibers, these suspended beds offered protection from dirt and insects. He saw them being used and brought the concept to Europe where hammocks were adopted by sailors.