Valverde (El Hierro), 7 (Europa Press)
The Government of the Canary Islands, along with the City Council of La Frontera, is spearheading the establishment of the Interpretation Centre of the Carneros de Tigaday, a venue dedicated to one of the most notable cultural expressions of the archipelago.
The museographic initiative, sited in the historic property of Benito Padrón, is set to launch by the end of 2025, featuring an interactive and educational exhibition focused on the history and development of this ancestral tradition, which has been designated as of Cultural Interest (BIC).
Through a direct grant of 60,000 euros allocated by the Ministry of Universities, Science, Innovation and Culture of the Government of the Canary Islands, the City Council of La Frontera is actively working on the enhancement and promotion of this BIC through various endeavours that include the creation of a museographic project, the production of audiovisual materials, and the design of a mobile application.
During a recent visit to El Hierro, the general director of Culture and Cultural Heritage, Miguel Ángel Clavijo, toured the property alongside the Minister of Heritage, Emilio Hernández; the mayor of La Frontera, Pablo Rodríguez; the first deputy mayor, Marcos Antonio Casañas; the Councilor for Culture, Norberto Betancor; the Councilor for Citizen Participation, Susana Inmaculada; and the president and vice president of the Los Carneros Association of Tigaday, José Iván Padrón and Herminio Barrera.
Clavijo stated, with this financial support, “one of the most fascinating traditions in the Canary Islands is being valued.”
Specifically, this is an event “with a strong identity hall closely linked to the municipality of La Frontera, which deserves recognition through projects that promote this intangible heritage,” he emphasised.
Clavijo expressed his commendations to the president of the Los Carneros de Tigaday Association “for his dedication and efforts to keep this tradition alive” and noted that it “will be open to the public” for the 2026 carnival.
The mayor, Pablo Rodríguez, expressed gratitude for the visit of the Director General of Culture and Cultural Heritage to the property known as ‘The House of Fear,’ which will host the Interpretation Centre.
The establishment of this facility “will certainly bear significant value and realise what we have envisioned for so long, enabling the rams to take a prominent place in our community and our development,” he commented.
“Something as intangible as the rams that only appear during Carnival, carrying with them an ethnographic world, must be acknowledged and interpreted,” the councillor remarked regarding this venture.
Hernández praised the initiative taken by the Government of the Canary Islands and the City Council of La Frontera to reclaim the “older” history of El Hierro that had been diminishing or becoming less prominent, but which the ancestors “experienced as part of everyday life.”
For the association, “it is a tremendous joy to establish a museum in connection with this tradition that has endured for many years and is deeply cherished,” stated the vice president.
“This enhances the dedication we apply, but the truth is that both the community and the youth are highly engaged and always eager to collaborate in maintaining this tradition,” Barrera added.
Museum Project
Every Sunday and Tuesday during Carnival, the rams from Tigaday chase and stain anyone who walks through the streets of La Frontera with tizne or bitumen.
This performance, tied to the livestock roots of El Hierro, has been preserved to this day, thanks to the commitment of the local community to recover the collective memory of the municipality.
The establishment of the Interpretation Centre intends to safeguard and promote this unique cultural expression, enabling residents and visitors to gain a profound understanding of the story behind the ‘Tigaday rams’ through innovative and interactive means.
Material artefacts representative of this festivity, such as the skins or zaleas of rams and sheep, among others, will be included in the permanent exhibition to delineate the context of this tradition.
In addition to a collection of informative items and displays, the venue will feature several promotional audiovisuals illustrating the origins, progression, and significance of this local heritage.
Another key element of the museum initiative is the utilisation of augmented reality to provide an immersive experience, guided by a ram avatar that will lead visitors through the rich history of this representation.
As a result of active listening and identifying needs within local administrations, the Canary Islands government promotes strategic public interest projects that reinforce community engagement and citizen participation.
Such initiatives not only document and disseminate the cultural heritage of the islands but also, in this instance, protect a tradition that is integral to the local identity of the municipality of La Frontera.
