Crafts and Traditions of the Canary Islands

During the fifteenth century the Spanish Crown wrested control of the Canary Islands from the Berber-speaking natives. Over the succeeding centuries the islands have been Europeanised to such an extent that the average visitor might think that all trace of the pre-Spanish culture had been lost long ago. This is, however, far from being the case, as the countryside and in the smaller islands where the effects of the tourist boom have been less marked. In a attempt to disentangle the complex roots of Canarian culture as it exists today, this book concentrates on the material aspects of Canary Islands traditions-domestic pottery making and rural crafts-and, by use of archaeological finds of pottery and of the leatherwork and basketry preserved by the Canaries' dry climate closely parallel the modern craft products. Where appropriate the technologies and practices introduced from Europe are also described. Aspects of the non-material culture-the sports, music and festivals-are included because, although much altered by peninsular Spanish immigrants and by Canarian emigrants returning from South America, these too have their roots in the pre-Hispanic period.