Guanche folk dances compared to other Spanish traditions in Tenerife

Folk dances of folklore Tenerife Spain Canary Islands are alive and humming.

They have moved into the scientific limelight of musicology, anthropology and Tenerife history in the country village Icod el Alto which is part of Icod de los Trigos Los Realejos.

Learn more about it in the context of ethnic dance group dynamics with Carmen Nieves Luis and los Alzados, just now.

Traditional dances by Icod el Alto Guanches

Musicology studies of Tenerife folklore by Carmen Nieves led to profound, academic research of ancient Guanche folklore and religious cults, such as their folk dances of Tajarastes, Tanganillos, Saltonas, to name just a few. In fact, it would have been great to trace the book by Carmen Nieves Luis to learn more about it. However, this academic literature seems to be out of print or sold out right now.

I am excited to show you the following video with young attractive people from Tenerife who are engaged with typical music for traditional Seguidillas and Saltonas. Most of the young ladies and men are extremely talented singers, as you may notice.

The Gorgojo dance of Tenerife

By the way, Tenerife Gorgojos seem to be associated with ancient 'underground' dances of Guanche witch cults with distinguished erotic aspects, while witch hunts legends are still going about.

The most startling characteristics of Guanche ethnic dances and folk music

The said folk music and traditional activities have a very happy mood in general. They are not dramatic and sad, as is so often the case with Spanish Flamenco music or, as may be in the Portuguese Fado folk songs. Also there is nothing gloomy about the style of the Guanche folkloristic dances. The choreography is adapted in an easy going fashion.

The language and lyrics are very often very simple and have refrains. This is common with children songs and their poetry.

Erotic folk dancing

An erotic element is frequent with human topics, more so in artistic form. Should it get out of hand ever, as may have been the case with el Gorgujo dance, is in the eye of the beholder.

Indigenous dances of Guanche origin were often based on devotion, such as for the goddesse of love, fertility and good crops called Chaxiraxi. The Guanche main god was Achanán. Chaxiraxi was later replaced by the black Madonna thanks to Franciscan monks who plotted her discovery by a beach.

The ancient dances of the Guanche were synchronized to fit the idol of the new cult which could be moulded by Christian standards of Tenerife's church. Nevertheless, the carefree and easy style of the chants and folk dances were most probably hardly altered. Fundamentally only, the language changed.

Musical instruments of Tenerife folk music

Archaic musical instruments of the Guanches, such as Chacáras, dictate the rhythm and give those Tenerife dances their exotic appeal. They could be nicely adapted to those of Spanish customs, while the small string instrument Timple is typical for the Canary Islands. Then, there is the lute. Its use with the native island dances of Tenerife is rare. Spanish guitars may appear, though.

Conclusion for Guanche folklore versus Spanish customs

Look at the Spanish traditions of highly religious Spanish Christian holidays, such as Easter and see why Guanche folk dancing and celebrations create a rather happy mood. Therefore, almost all those festivals with free food and drink, such as Romerias coincide with old Guanche calendar rituals during solstices or ancient Guanche sports events.

By the way, folk dances are also part of May celebrations in the capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Back to folk dance Icod el Alto Tenerife Spain.

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