|
The history of Tenerife
Origins of the island
As the rest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife is also a son of Pluton. While the
volcanic development of the eastern islands started more than 20 Million years
ago, the oldest mountain ranges of Tenerife raised from the Atlantic much later
(about 8 to 12 Million years ago).
At least 3 Million years ago it was believed that there were 3 islands with the
Anaga, Teno and Valle San Lorenzo mountain ranges. In a tremendous volcanic
process the old central volcano and the great mountain range (Cumbre Dorsal)
melted together into what we know today as Tenerife.
Presumably the top of the volcano did not explode but collapsed in it's own
crater and is now one of the greatest collapsed craters of the world (Las
Cañadas). This oval crater is at it's longest distance about 17Km long.
500.000 years ago the last stage of volcanic activity in Tenerife took place.
The 'Pico Viejo' (old peak) erupted first and some time later the higher 'Pico
del Teide'. This last one has on it's top a sulphur coat surrounding it. The
last volcano eruption in Tenerife happened near the village of Santiago del
Teide in 1909.
Mysterious Guanches
The natives of Tenerife where known as the bravest and most feared from the
canary inhabitants. They were cavern men and they balsa mated their deceased
people in caves and prayed for their peaceful rest.
From the rest of the mummies we can affirm the northwest African origin. Likewise
from some vestiges from spoken and written language which made the conquest of
the Spaniards over the Guanches much more difficult. A few years ago a stone was
found. It has the symbols 'Z(a)N(a)T(a)' engraved on it, which supposedly has
some sort of a connection to the same name with a bereber origin. No definitive
explication has been given until yet.
Likewise there are only theories and speculations of the way the Guanches even
arrived the first time to the islands. European reports affirm that the natives
did not have any knowledge about see craft. It is also very peculiar that there
were not even connections between the very near island of La Gomera and
Tenerife. Another mystery is why the Guanches did not make any evolution in time
despite the many visits from the Fenician, Punician and Romans.
The Spanish conquest
500 years ago the Spanish conqueror Alonso Fernández de Lugo arrived at the bay
of Añaza (today's harbour of Santa Cruz). The royal house ordered him to submit
the last bastion of the canary natives. But the Guanches proved themselves as
very brave and audacious as related by some chronists.
Bencomo, the king of Raoro (today La Orotava) the mightiest of all nine kings,
congregated all his warriors and enticed the intruders to the Bay of Acentejo.
2.000 compatriots of the Spanish crown fell and 'de Lugo' was seriously injured.
This happened on the 31st of May of 1494. Since then the town of the massacre is
called La Matanza (the slaughter). Today besides the motorway there is a huge
stone wall painting with a Guanche blowing the victory signal through a horn in
the place of the massacre. One and a half years later, the 25th of December of
1495 and after the stench plague which weakened the Guanches the Spanish crown
finally conquered Tenerife.
For a long time the extermination of a nation and all it's culture was held in
secret and always denied. Under the mandate of 'Franco' it was even forbidden to
talk about it. A few years ago a Renaissance started and now even Guanches names
are being registrated on streets. Families with the surname 'Oramas' are proud
again of their name and tell about their ancestor 'Juan Oramas' a grandson of
the King 'Doramas de Guanarteme' who was killed in Gran Canaria.
In Candelaria, the memory of the last nine Kings was kept alive by Lava made
statues at the beach in front of the Basílica. The pass of time and especially
the erosion corroded and destroyed partially these statues.
A few years ago the native artist 'José Abad' from 'La Laguna' made 7 bronze
statues with royal sceptres, stone weapons, wood spears, slings and other
symbolic objects. The proud Menceys as witnesses of the polemic times of
discoverers.
After the victory over the Guanches, de Lugo constructed in 1496 the Metropolis
of 'San Cristobal de La Laguna' beside a lagoon which was about seven kilometres
away from the bay of 'Añaza'. In 1723 the government's mandate changed to the
harbour city of Santa Cruz. The colonialist city from late Middle ages which
would be later the University and Bishops city remained uncommunicative to
foreigners. All the modern tourism ran into the walls of the city each time -
but not in real walls because La Laguna was the first Spanish establishment
without city walls. Short before it's 500th birthday La Laguna woke up, remembers
the historical values, and opens it's doors; until now the events of the
Guanches Era have been obscured and since last year the Museum of History of
Tenerife is open to visitors. This collection is placed in a renovated villa
from the nobleman Lercaro.
|
