Excitement, belief, and custom met at six in the evening when numerous individuals took their seats in the plaza dedicated to the Patron Saint of the Canary Islands, affectionately known as La Morenita. Despite the scorching heat, thousands of pilgrims and tourists waited eagerly to witness one of the most ingrained and spectacular traditions during the celebrations. Once again, the Guanche ceremony united thousands of spectators this year, all eager to witness the reenactment of the discovery of the Virgin, an event dating back at least 250 years.
At 8:00 p.m., with the Patron Saint taking the spotlight, in front of the sculptural ensemble of the Menceyes and the sound of crashing waves in the background, the performance commenced. The group Los Guanches de Candelaria once again captivated the audience with their portrayal of the discovery, by two Guanche shepherds, of the statue of a woman cradling a child on a rock, as they led their livestock to the coastline.
The adaptation of the work by Fray Alonso de Espinosa began, recounting the prohibition for Guanches to speak to a woman in isolation. Hence, the shepherds gestured for her to depart, but she remained still and silent. One of them attempted to throw a stone at her, yet his arm remained motionless. Meanwhile, the other endeavoured to harm her with his tabona (knife), only to end up injuring himself, severing his fingers. Overwhelmed, they fled the location and reported the incident to the mencey of Güímar, Acaymo, exhibiting their wounds to the monarch.
THE DESCENT AND THE ENCOUNTER WITH THE VIRGIN
Accompanied by his people, he decided to descend from Chinguaro to Chimisay to verify the account and there they discovered the sacred statue. The narrative states, “They caused astonishment and fear, rendering the group speechless.” When the two shepherds who found the virgin, one with mutilated fingers and the other with a paralyzed arm, touched her, they were miraculously healed, as per popular belief.
One of the most extraordinary moments of the performance unfolds at this juncture: the Guanches blow their bucios and commence a ceremonial dance with their sticks in reverence to the statue, whom they named Chaxiraxi, and who remained in Chinguaro, the mencey’s residence until the conquest of Tenerife, when it was relocated to the Achbinico cave in Candelaria. The Christianised Guanches were granted the privilege to carry the Virgin since 1601, a right the Marian town exercises every 14th of August and upholds to this day. From this pivotal event stems the profound devotion that the Canary Islands hold for Candelaria. Following the culmination of the act, the nocturnal procession of the Virgin commenced towards the area of the Pozo. Through the night, throngs of pilgrims arrived, entering the basilica, its doors ajar post-nightfall.
EVENTS FOR TODAY
Today at 9:00 a.m. in the Basilica of Candelaria, the Cultural Association La Guanchería de Los Realejos will present a drum reception and an offering in honour of the 25 years of this tradition. Following at 10:00 a.m., the 33rd Athletic Floral Offering to the Virgin of Candelaria will be conducted at the Basilica. Subsequently, at 11:00 a.m., a civic parade will depart from the City Hall towards the Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias.
Around mid-morning, at 11:30 a.m., in the central square, a military march and an official welcome by the representative of His Majesty the King of Spain, His Excellency Don Julio Salom Herrera, will transpire. Following this, at 12:00 p.m., a Solemn Eucharist will occur in the basilica. Following the service, a procession of the Virgin of Candelaria will encircle the square, accompanied by a display of fireworks. Lastly, at 9:00 p.m., an Offering to the Patron Saint of the Canary Islands will take place at the same venue, featuring traditional music and customs of the islands.
