Sacred Mountains in the Canary Islands

MARÍA CONSTANZA CERUTI

Mundo Gráfico

Año: 2016 p. 115

978-987-698-140-8

Mountains in theCanary Islands were sacred to the Guanches of Tenerife, the Benahoritas of LaPalma, the Gomeros of La Gomera, the Canarios of Gran Canaria and the Majorerosof Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. Volcano Teide, the highest mountain in Tenerife,was considered a gateway to hell and the abode of a demon named Guayota. Altode Garajonay, the highest peak in La Gomera, was associated with a legendarycouple of frustrated lovers, Gara and Jonay. The peak of Tindaya in the islandof Fuerteventura is still considered a sacred mountain, as it was in ancienttimes, when the distinctive podomorphic petroglyphs were carved on its summit.Ceremonial caves on the heights of mount Bentayga are in view of the famousRoque Nublo, in Gran Canaria. Christianization brought to the islands the cultof ?Our Lady of the Snow?. This book analyzes the anthropological importance ofvolcanic mountains in the Canary archipelago, based on field researchundertaken by the author, which included ascending to the summits of thehighest and most emblematic peaks, visiting historical monuments, museums andarchaeological sites, and documenting cultural manifestations and festivitiessuch as the Carnival in Tenerife, the Diabletes in Lanzarote and the Romeria ofSan Sebastian in La Gomera.