The Watering Can
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It is a manifestation derived from the irrigation work of the fields and the need to overcome the unevenness of the terraces formed by the terrain. It is called a watering can because of the device used for irrigation, which in the past was made up of a section of a large pumpkin that was attached to the end of a long stick. This practice is only found in the Aridane Valley (La Palma). The oldest reference dates back to 1868 in a registered letter, providing evidence that the water channel where it is used began to be built in 1555.
Livestock Dragging
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It is a sports modality consisting of completing a 70-meter course in the shortest time possible, by cattle that drag a dead weight on a sled (a wooden platform on which the weight rests), with the help of a herdsman who uses a stick. Livestock dragging contests involve a competition between teams of oxen, bulls, or cows, divided into three categories.
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This practice arises from the necessity of relocating agricultural tools from one place to another, combined with the desire to compete, linked to the belief that strength is beneficial for rural work. As it is a creation, it is considered a game. It involves lifting a large plow from the ground to a vertical position, then moving it horizontally and making a 360º turn before placing it on the ground, testing skill and strength.
Although its recovery took place in Tenerife, this modality is native to the islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, where they emerged due to the influence of migrations to the Archipelago. In the early 1970s, there was already knowledge of a game in Tenerife, with different variations, for which different sticks were used. That was the first of the rescued Canarian games.
The first records of this modality date back to the year 1616. Its origin is not clear, although there are several hypotheses linking it to Basque, Valencian, or French traditions, among others. However, Pelotamano took on variations in our region imposed by the Canarian people themselves. It was practiced throughout the Archipelago and although it has almost completely disappeared now, it was on the island of Lanzarote where this game persisted the most.
The handling of large stones was always a common activity in rural areas. Lifting and pulsing differ in that in the latter, the stone must be lifted above the head without touching the body, while the former allows for contact. Pulsing is the cleanest way to lift the rock and ends with the extension of the arms; it can also be done in two stages, with the first at chest height. On the other hand, the lifting technique involves finding a body support to lift the weight.
Players, armed with coins or discs, gather and agree on the game rules, which can have variations. An appropriate stone acts as the “tángano”, whose mission is to serve as support for the coins or discs in play. Once the “tángano” is placed, a line is drawn on the ground at a predetermined distance, and then each player equips themselves with a good flat stone to throw and aim to knock down the contents of the “tángano.”
It is an indigenous and traditional combat system inherited from the ancient Canarians. Later, it was the shepherds of the Archipelago who preserved the tradition, using it to protect their livestock from theft. This Canarian martial art was on the brink of disappearing but it was in the 1980s when its techniques were rescued. Nowadays, the Canarian garrote fight teams are known as “pilas.”
The goal of this pastime, which is deeply rooted in Lanzarote, is to get the ball as close as possible to the “boliche” that is previously thrown to a rectangular position.
Traditional Games in the Canary Islands
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Teams take turns to throw wooden balls, trying to get them as close as possible to the target known as “mingue” or “miche”. After all the balls have been thrown in each round, points are awarded based on how many balls are closer to the mingue than the closest ball from the opposing team. One point is awarded for each ball in this position, and the game continues until one team reaches twelve points, ending the match.
La pina
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Players from two teams, using stakes resembling inverted canes, must hit the wooden ball (la pina) using sticks to move it to the back of each team’s field, located at the right and left ends of the playing area, which has a linear extension of about one hundred “varas” – each “vara” being approximately 0.842 meters long. The team that manages to reach the boundaries of the opposing team’s terrain more times with their ball wins the game.
Shepherd’s Leap
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This activity is practiced by shepherds who use a wooden stick, usually made of pine, to navigate ravines, cliffs, and cliffs in the archipelago. Although the origins of this practice remain uncertain, various historians have documented references to it dating back to the time of the Castilian conquest by the pre-Hispanic inhabitants of the islands.
The Shepherd’s Leap in La Gomera waterfall. / D.R.
Board Sliding Game
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This tradition dates back to 1521, coinciding with the start of the timber industry development in the islands, particularly in Tenerife. The wooden boards were transported from the pine forests of Icod to the coast along steep streets to build boats, furniture, wine barrels, or to be sold. This practice evolved into handmade wooden sleds used to slide down the tracks. These sleds are now known as the “San Andrés boards” as the races are held during the festivities of the same name in the town of Tenerife.
The Nail Game
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A popular beach game played by families involved throwing a large nail into the sand and trying to make it stand upright. Players have three attempts in each round and must complete the 23 maneuvers or positions (hand, palm, birdie, head, shooting, walk, cradle, pool, etc.) to win. Despite its popularity in the past century, the game has gradually lost participants over time.
