The Acentejo Massacre transformed this Sunday, January 26, 2025, into the highlight of its vibrant festivities in honour of San Antonio Abad held in the neighbourhood sharing the same name. Approximately 2,000 attendees, as estimated by the council, along with around a hundred livestock farmers, relished one of the most significant exhibitions of cattle, horses, goats, and sheep in Tenerife. This event showcased not only the enduring links of the primary sector and livestock in the municipality but also indicated a generational shift, particularly evident among the children and grandchildren of numerous participants, alongside many other youngsters who eagerly attended the exhibition, mass, and the saint’s procession. In total, around 650 livestock were showcased, consisting of 93 horses, 417 goats, 102 cows, and 40 sheep.
Beginning at 10 in the morning, when registrations commenced, the fairgrounds in the San Antonio neighbourhood welcomed hundreds of locals and tourists. The footfall increased across the various sections of the livestock exhibition, including the area featuring horses, mares, and ponies, placed just above the Barranco and Battle of Acentejo Interpretation Centre, where construction has been expedited in recent weeks. Additionally, around the parish of San Antonio, various locations displayed goats, sheep, and cattle, offering an exhibition that allowed families and visitors of all ages to engage closely with this vital aspect of rural life that remains significantly influential in the locality and other regions of the Island.
Approximately around one in the afternoon, as scheduled, the mass was conducted, followed half an hour later by the procession encompassing the church and part of the fairgrounds that hosted the oxen, cows, and bulls, some of which were quite substantial. Upon the return of the image to the parish, the presentation of trophies and awards was held, officiated by the mayor, Ignacio Rodríguez, along with other members of his administration and the Cabildo. The notable presence of boys and girls among the prize-winning or honoured ranchers reinforced the sentiment that the future of this essential sector is promising despite any challenges that may arise.
A moment from the pilgrimage. / ED
Before, during, and after the exhibition, religious events, and the trophy presentations, the surroundings of the San Antonio neighbourhood illustrated its standing as a pivotal reference for the region in celebrating its patron saint, with hundreds flocking to guachinches, restaurants, taverns, bars, and other establishments that also participate in this festivity.
Although the festivities still have another significant occasion on Sunday, February 2, with the cattle drag, La Matanza illustrated this Sunday that it continues to diligently uphold its traditions relating to the rural sector and such a significant area as livestock.
The extensive programme organised by the Matanzas City Council for this year, consistent with prior editions, will conclude next Sunday with the renowned cattle drag, commencing at 11:00 a.m., followed by another mass, procession, and offering by the folk groups.
This year’s celebration of San Antonio Abad commenced last Friday, the 17th, with a solemn religious service at the sanctuary in the San Antonio neighbourhood. This past Sunday morning saw the traditional exhibition of Canarian hound dogs, alongside another mass held in honour of San Antonio Abad and a procession around the sanctuary. In the afternoon, the ring race on horseback took place.
