During the late 15th century, Spanish sailors encountered a series of islands: Tenerife, La Palma, Gran Canaria, and Gomera–located west of Africa and now known as the Canary Islands. Since these lands had the adequate conditions for growing sugar and producing wine, products in high demand in Europe, it was not long before plantations and trading posts were build by the Spanish.1
Apart from having profitable resources, the islands also became an important stopping point in the trans-Atlantic trade routes, since the islands lay between the New and the Old Worlds. What is often overlooked, however, is that long before the Europeans set foot on these islands and established trading posts, a group of indigenous people lived on these remote lands; the Guanche, a group of blonde-haired and blue-eyed people, resided on the islands.2
When the Spanish arrived, they were surprised to find that the Guanche people lived in stone age conditions: taking shelter in caves and huts, wearing little clothing made of reeds, and using stones and sticks as weapons. Despite their primitive lifestyle, the Guanche lived in a hierarchical society and were ruled by a group of elders and “menceys” (kings). The rest of the tribe consisted of farmers who raised goats, pigs, and sheep in the hills, and with their basic techniques, planted seeds in the valleys. They built pyramids in an east-west alignment indicating that they worshiped the rising and the setting of the sun; they also made pottery and mummified their dead.3
Once the Guanche were discovered by the Europeans, they suffered the same fate that most tribes did in this era; they were forced into slavery on sugar plantations. As a result of harsh labor and of the devastation to the Guanche population, their culture barely survived.4 But if we could rewind time back to the days before the Spanish encountered the Canary Islands, we would still be left with some important questions: How did the Guanche arrive in the Canary Islands? From where do they originate?
There are several theories regarding the mysterious arrival of the Guanche in the Canary Islands, but none are certain. The most mentioned and supported hypothesis is that the Guanche tribe were descendants of the Moroccan Berber tribesmen. Researchers have discovered that the Guanche had similar homes, burial practices, and rock carvings as the tribes that once resided in North Africa. The story goes that there was a group of Berbers in the fifth century who rebelled against the Romans, and were thus exiled to the Canary Islands. It is argued that the Guanche originated from this region because their physical traits, specifically the blond hair and blue eyes, are often also seen among the Berbers, and that Guanche’s whistle-like language “tamazight insular” has its origins in the Berber’s language.5
On the other hand, historian Caroline Spence argues that the Guanche do not originate from Morocco in North Africa; instead, they come from Egypt. According to this theory, the tribe used papyrus reeds to make the boats they used to travel to the islands, and because this material rots rapidly, it would explain why no boat remains were ever discovered.6 There are several other cultural characteristics that tie the Guanche to the Egyptians. For example, both civilizations worshiped celestial bodies and had similar practices when dealing with their dead. The Guanche mummified the bodies of the elite with similar techniques to that of the Egyptians, like binding the nails, packing the body with stuffing, and painting the hair of the mummy with henna. Also, several small step pyramids were found in the Canary Islands that are similar to the Egyptians.’ However, it is unknown whether it was the Guanche who built these pyramids to hold celebrations on or whether they were built after the islands were discovered by Spanish farmers who were clearing stones.7
Due to their physical characteristics, it is also contended that the Guanche are direct descendants from Europeans who–in 3000 B.C.E.–sailed from what is now the French Coast and the Iberian Peninsula, and were left stranded on these Atlantic islands. There are countless other less credible theories that explain the arrival of the Guanche, including one that the Vikings–who were skilled sailors–transported people to the islands, who then somehow lost their knowledge of seamanship.8 Some even argue that the Guanche are the remains of the sunken city of Atlantis, who over time evolved a new language and style of living.
Undeniably, the arrival of the Guanche on the Canary Islands remains an enigma. It is not known when, how, or in what numbers they arrived; it is only known that there is a link between them and other civilizations. No theory is definitive and it is debatable whether the Guanche even interacted with other civilizations prior to 1494, when Alonso Fernandez de Lugo conquered the Canary Islands enslaving and murdering its indigenous people. Despite this, the Guanche culture is not entirely extinct, because on the island of Gomera, the Guanche’s whistle talk survives as a reminder of the baffling existence of the Guanche.9.
- Jerry H. Bentley, Herbert F. Ziegler and Heather E. Streets-Salter, Traditions and Encounters: A Brief Global History Vol 2 (New York: MacGraw-Hill Education, 2016), 352, Kindle Edition ↵
- In Science and Its Times, 2001, s.v. “Jean de Bethencourt and Gadifer de La Salle Colonize the Canary Islands for Spain,” by Judson Knight. ↵
- Arthur Kemp, March of the Titans: The Complete History of the White Race Vol 1 (Ostara Publications, 2008), Chapter 6 ↵
- George Glas, Barker Webb, Sabin Berthollet, and Miss Haigh, “Some Account of the Island of Teneriffe and Its Inhabitants, at the Time of the Spanish Conquest; Taken from the “History of the Discovery and Conquest of the Canary Islands, by George Glas; and the “Histoire Naturelle Des Iles Canaries,” by Barker Webb and Sabin Berthollet,” Transactions of the Ethnological Society of London, no. 7 (1869): 107-114. ↵
- Mario Garcia Conde and Hector Roldan Delgado, “The Last of the Atlanteans,” Child’s Nervous System Vol. 26, no. 9 (2010): 1131. ↵
- Caroline Spence, “Mystery of the Guanche,” Geographical (Campion Interactive Publishing) Vol 72, no. 8 (2000): 43. ↵
- Caroline Spence, “Mystery of the Guanche,” Geographical (Campion Interactive Publishing) Vol 72, no. 8 (2000): 42. ↵
- Steenie Harvey, “Isles of Eternal Spring,” World & I 17, no. 4 (2002): 178. ↵
- “Conquest of the Canary Islands Explained.” Everything Explained Today. Accessed March 2, 2017 ↵
52 comments
Joshua Breard
The Canary Islands to me come under the radar in history. These islands were rich places with lots of mystery that would be conquered by the Europeans. Even though this sounds great, the actual history about how the more dominant people coming in who could have killed them off is depressing but the article is very powerful as it gives us an inside look into the lives of the Guanche people.
Alejandra Mendez
What and interesting topic and article! I had never before reading this article heard of the Guanche tribe. I have heard of the Canary Islands but never bothered to look more into the subject. It is sad to read of the fate of these peoples as most tribes that were conquered by Spain and other ruling countries faced. I loved reading all of the theories of the tribe however! It was a great touch to add to an informational article especially when some of the readers, like myself, know little to nothing about the topic.
Valeria Hernandez
The author offered wonderful insight to an unknown topic, the history of The Canary Islands. An old, rich, and mysterious place that was conquered by the Europeans. However, the origin of its citizen remains unknown. In the Gonzalez explains perfectly the famous debate among archeologist and experts about the true nationality of the group discovered in 1494.
Sergio Cervantes
I find it strange that such a people existed on this island before the arrival of the Spanish and lived lives in a similar manner to those people in northern Africa. It makes the mind think how these people could have ever arrived to such islands without the knowledge that only few nations had. Another thing that I find unusual is that the characteristics of these natives resemble Berbers because of their blonde hair and blue eyes. It is sad to see that these people also were exploited by a European power and nearly wiped off the face of the Earth due to the hard tasks placed upon them.
Nicolas McKay
Excellent article Ana. There are very few cultures as shrouded in myth and mystery as the guanche people. Whats so interesting is how each of these different stories is so credible, each one of these sounds plausible enough to be the truth, but we will never know which one is their true origin. What little we do know is certainly incredible. This is certainly one of the better culture pieces on the site.
Mario De Leon
This is a great article on the Guanche people. Like most people, I have never heard of the Guanche people and probably never would have if it wasn’t for your article. It’s very interesting the similarities between the Egyptian people and the Guanche people. Especially how both civilizations tended to the dead. The origins of the Guanche people fascinate me especially because it is still a mystery.
Gabriela Medrano
It is bizarre to even think of a whole population mysteriously disappearing! I think the only way these Guanche people are still a topic today is because of the mystery and countless theories that can be construed about their origins. Your structure gave your article a boost, I like that you set out the theories one after another. If it was intentional that’s great, but I liked that their order was based on its credibility. Great article, cool topic, however I do wish there were more images. I did like the feature one though!
Zaraly Frasquillo
Ana! I really enjoyed reading your article for a second time! I had forgot how amazing your article was! I am actually really happy that you decided to write about this topic, I feel like our knowledge of the Guanche people is very very little to none. For example, when i read your article title I honestly had no clue what you were going to talk about. Ana, I give you a round of applause for this article, you did an amazing job researching and telling the story of the Guanche people.
Johnanthony Hernandez
Well written article, in all honesty I didn’t know that the Canary Islands people were somewhat stuck in the stone age or that they practiced mummification. I had thought the peoples that inhabited the islands were part of those that lived in Morocco. It’s interesting to see the different theories on where they came from and that they have characteristics of Europeans when it comes to hair and eye color while also have some of he same practices in preparing the dead and their religious practices as the Egyptians. Again, well written and amazing article.
Priscilla Reyes
I believe this article does amazing at connecting the two cultures. It provides interesting information on both and is a great topic to learn about. Like I stated in my last comment, the fact that you included a variety of theories is key because the history and culture of a group is difficult to share but nevertheless important! You deserve this award because of the amount of research put into the article!