The Copacabana, soccer icons like Pélé or Ronaldinho, long promenades and the Sugar Loaf Mountain - they are all unmistakably part of Brazil as you may know. What you may not know is that the hammock is also a real cultural asset in Brazil.
The rede, as it is called in Portuguese, stands for pure joie de vivre in Brazil and even serves as a place to sleep for many locals. This type of use has a long tradition, especially in the northern and northeastern regions of Brazil, and goes back to the influence of the indigenous population. Nowadays, hammocks are mainly popular places to relax- for example in hotels, inns and vacation homes.
The special energy that emanates from Brazilian hammocks has fascinated us at LA SIESTA for many years. That's why we are proud to have brought a real gem of the Brazilian hammock culture to Europe with our Bossanova product line. Today we take you on a journey to the other side of the world to tell you the story of our popular Brazilian hammock.
Welcome to the land of hammocks
To be more precise, we are going to Fortaleza in northeastern Brazil. The city is known for particularly high-quality hammocks, which are sold in the famous Mercado Central market hall, among other places. In Fortaleza, our Bossanova is assembled from several components that are previously manufactured in elaborate handwork in cities across Brazil. In Jaguaruana, 175 km away from Fortaleza, the hammock bed is woven, while the characteristic decorative border is created in Cruz near Jericoacoara. The macramé is woven directly in Fortaleza by Brazilian housewives who earn their main income with the elaborate handicraft.
In Fortaleza, hammock fans get their money's worth.
Step by step for our Brazilian gem
Good things take time – so it takes several days to complete a Bossanova hammock. In addition to weaving the hammock bed, the individual work steps also include braiding the suspension ropes, shaping the suspension loops and sewing on labels. The steps can be partially or completely manual, each one being indispensable for the finished hammock.
The macramé, and the decorative border known as the veranda, are particularly elaborate.
Macramé is a knotting technique that expresses influences of local indigenous and Portuguese culture. The technique was perfected over decades and did not reach the height of fame until the mid-20th century, when hammocks were already very popular in South America. Macramé is created by knotting yarn that is twisted by hand into a mesh-like shape. In the production of our Bossanova, the finely knotted mesh is finished with a special ribbon called mamacuba. The finished macramé represents the connecting piece between the cloth and the suspension cords of the hammock and is not only an eye-catcher, but also contributes to the optimal weight distribution when lying down.
The intricate macramé is handmade.
The Veranda - a separate product that is attached to the hammock later in the process - is also handmade. The striking pattern imitates fish scales and is a typical features of Brazilian hammocks. The veranda was developed in the middle of the 20th century in Ceará during the economic boom of cotton. Today, especially in northern Brazil, people are very proud of the decorative trim.
The veranda distinguishes extraordinarily high quality hammocks in Brazil.
Another special feature of our Brazilian hammocks is the special weaving technique used in the production of the hammock bed. The weaving method, known in Brazil as fustão, dates back to before the Industrial Revolution, but has been simplified with the advent of more modern machinery. The weaving method mimics a beehive by adding a lateral movement to the up and down movement of the threads. It is a very laborious and time-consuming process, but the results speak for themselves: the refined, two-sided pattern aesthetically pleasing, but also makes the fabric particularly cuddly and comfortable.
Here, the two-sided pattern is created using the Fustão weaving method.
The final product - a brilliant piece of Brazilian hammock culture
The result of the many intricate steps is more than just a hammock - it is a true work of art that reflects Brazilian tradition and culture.
LA SIESTA has a long history of Brazilian hammocks. We love the intricate, purposeful details and have been developing our Brazilian product line for years. The unique blend of craftsmanship and special weaving techniques produces a special hammock with unique color effects, giving both sides an individual look.
Over the years, we've adapted the traditional, colorful designs to modern interior design styles and now offer our Bossanova in three muted shades. This way, it not only blends beautifully into your garden, but also into your living area. You might even want to take inspiration from the hammock's role in South America and use it for sleeping - we promise there's no better place for a siesta!
Relaxing Brazilian style
La Siesta Center in Fortaleza
Background: Fair to people and nature
So that you can enjoy your hammocking time with a clear conscience, we place particular value on the responsible use of natural resources and fair working conditions in our cooperation with our international partners and suppliers. In order to meet our high standards of sustainable production, Bossanova is made of pure organic cotton, which is grown without the use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers and defoliants. In addition, less energy and water is needed for cultivation, so the environment is less polluted.
In addition to ecological aspects, our social project for Brazilian children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds is also very close to our hearts: In 2014, we founded the CENTRO LA SIESTA youth center together with the former national beach soccer player José Expedito and the "Gateway to Hope" association. It is a place of safety for local children, where they are introduced to sports, culture and education.
A post by Elena Gaber