The Guanches on Tenerife were the original inhabitants, known for their impressive culture, traditions, unique language, and way of life before Spain fully colonized the island.
Islas Afortunadas or Fortunate Islands is an ancient nickname for the Canary Islands, attributed to the ancient Greek philosopher and historian Pliny the Elder. Pliny referred to the islands by this name in his work ‘Naturalis Historia,’ written in the 1st century AD. The Guanches were the first known inhabitants of the fortunate Canary Islands. They were the indigenous population when the Spanish conquered the islands in the 15th century.
The nickname ‘Fortunate Islands’ derives from the Latin word fortuna, meaning luck or fortune. The reason behind this name is most likely related to the climate and wealth, natural beauty, favorable geographic location, and the imaginative musings of the writer.
Great men
Regardless of the exact reason behind the name, the nickname has stood the test of time and is still used today to describe the Canary Islands, which are a popular tourist destination due to their subtropical climate and natural beauty.
The first inhabitants were the Guanches; some writers believe they were the original inhabitants of Atlantis. They were tall, with men ranging from 1.75 to 1.88 meters, and some had fair rosy skin with blond hair and blue eyes. Guanches were exceptionally strong and very agile, attributed to their life in nature and caves.
Stone age
The Guanches are described as natural forces in body and spirit, courageous, intelligent, dignified, kind, passionate, and humble. These qualities enabled them to face danger, survive calamities, and befriend their enemies. The Guanches loved singing and dancing, gambling, and sporting events. They were genuinely hospitable and had deep respect for their elders and great love for their families.
The expedition of Béthencourt to the Canary Islands encountered one of the most beautiful races in the world they had ever met. Food was scarce, so they had to be frugal. Their meals mostly consisted of gofio, wild fruits, and fish. On special occasions, meat was roasted. The Guanches caught fish by using burning torches to herd fish into reed nets.
They had no knowledge of metal, making it difficult to imagine how they built their mills to grind gofio or made their clothing without needles. Their isolation kept them primitive, and this is why the Guanches never progressed beyond a Stone Age way of life.
Women
Their wealth was measured by their livestock. The king owned the land, and the priest was second in the hierarchy. Social classes included nobles, squires, and commoners. To be recognized as a nobleman, a man had to prove his worth. He was tested to see if he had milked and slaughtered animals, cooked meals, been rude or coarse, especially towards women. If the candidate failed, he was declared a commoner forever, and his hair was shaved off. If he succeeded, his hair was cut to his ears, and he became a member of the noble order.
A woman about to marry was isolated in her room for a month before the wedding to eat lavishly. A marriage could be dissolved; both partners were free to remarry, and separations were amicable. The only issue was that if a child was born after the separation, it was considered illegitimate.
Hospitable
The Guanches are associated with the Egyptians because of their custom of mummifying their dead. The body was placed on a stone bench where the internal organs were removed, and the body was washed twice daily in cold salt water. Special care was given to the ears, nostrils, fingers, and toes, as these were the most vulnerable parts. The body was then anointed with a mixture of goat fat, aromatic herbs, crushed pine bark, resin, fern powder, and pumice.
After treatment, the body was exposed to the sun for two weeks, marking the mourning period for the relatives. After mummification, the body was wrapped in sheep and goat skins and taken to one of the burial caves.
Although the Guanches as a race no longer exist, many of their traits appear to have been passed down through generations to the Canary Islanders. They too love music and dancing, are very proud and protective of their families, and always offer their hospitality.
No immunity
The whistling language still used on La Gomera today most likely originated from the Guanches. The word Guanchos comes from the contraction of Guan (man) from Chinet (Tenerife). The Guanches arrived by sea, bringing domesticated animals such as goats, sheep, pigs, and dogs. There is some mystique surrounding these early inhabitants; they seem more like mainlanders than island dwellers. It has been suggested that the Guanches were herders brought to the islands by sailors. Teide on Tenerife is visible from the African coast on a clear day, and it is conceivable that they organized the crossing themselves with the help of sailors.
The Guanches on Tenerife were vulnerable to viruses and bacteria brought by the conquerors. They lacked immunity against foreign germs and died resisting the invasion by European peoples.
Defeated in 1496
The Spanish conquest began in 1402 with Jean de Béthencourt on Lanzarote. Facing starvation, the indigenous population surrendered to Castilian rule. The Guanches on Tenerife only had stones and spears as weapons, yet successfully fought against the Castilians in 1494, finally being defeated in 1496.
The Guanches who survived converted to Christianity and married the Spanish conquerors, resulting in some families in the Canary Islands today claiming Guanche heritage.
Guy Devos © Photography
The Guanches on Tenerife ©
More HISTORY can be read [HERE]
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