Tumpline facts for kids
A tumpline is a special strap used to carry things, like a backpack or a basket, by placing the strap over the top of your head. It's different from a regular backpack because it uses your back and spine to hold the weight, not just your shoulders. When you use a tumpline, the strap sits on the top of your head, just behind your hairline, pulling straight down in line with your spine. You then lean forward a bit, which helps your back support the load.
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How Does a Tumpline Work?
A tumpline is a simple but clever tool. It's a strap that connects to both ends of whatever you are carrying. Instead of putting the weight on your shoulders, like a normal backpack, the tumpline puts the weight on your head. This might sound strange, but it actually uses your strong back and spine to carry the load.
When you wear a tumpline, the strap goes over the very top of your head, not your forehead. This way, the weight pulls straight down your spine. To help carry the load, you lean forward a little. This posture lets your back muscles do most of the work, which can be more comfortable for very heavy items than carrying them only on your shoulders.
Tumplines Around the World
People have used tumplines for a very long time, especially in places where they need to carry heavy things over long distances without modern vehicles.
Traditional Uses in Mexico
In Mexico and other countries in Latin America, people have traditionally used tumplines for centuries. They are great for carrying all sorts of heavy items. This includes firewood, large baskets filled with building materials like dirt, bird cages, and even furniture! In Mexico, a common name for a tumpline is "mecapal." Today, many Mayan people in southern Mexico still use tumplines for carrying goods when they walk.
Modern Uses and Benefits
Tumplines are still very useful today. For example, porters (people who carry luggage) in Nepal often use them to carry supplies through the mountains.
Even some modern adventurers have found tumplines helpful. A famous climber and outdoor equipment maker named Yvon Chouinard started using tumplines. He found that they helped him with his back pain because they made his back muscles stronger, just like he saw in Nepalese porters. During World War Two, the Canadian Army even designed special supply packs with tumplines. They used them to move supplies over very rough land where it was hard to use other vehicles.
