«The defence of Traditional clothing extends well beyond the Day of Canary Islands». This assertion was made by Efraín Medina, the Insular Counsellor of Employment and Education of the Cabildo de Tenerife, during the presentation of the new additions to the audiovisual catalogue – now comprising 70 examples of costumes. He emphasised the need for Canarian content to be integrated into the curricula of the island’s educational institutions. This event coincided with the tenth anniversary celebration of the Sector Council, which occurs in September.
Examples
The latest videos showcase 15 female and 15 male costumes, which complement an existing 40 previously created examples. Efraín Medina was joined by Ricardo Cólogan, the manager of the Island Company of Crafts, along with Sector Council members Dulce Rodríguez and Mari Carmen Almenara. Among the audience was Natanael Padrón, the director of Tenerife Fashion, whose contributions Medina praised. Before the speeches commenced, two displays illustrated the diligent efforts of the Council: a milkmaid, representing a nineteenth-century street vendor, and a farmer adorned in the typical blanket prevalent from the early twentieth century, which is still recognised today.
Investigation
Efraín Medina underscored the necessity of progressing in the research of traditional clothing, stating that “the goal is for it to serve as an educational resource for everyone,” despite the challenges involved in equipping teachers with the necessary tools. He expressed gratitude for the support from the Ministry of Education and Counsellor Poli Suárez but also acknowledged that the Budget “has increased by a thousand percent so we can continue our research efforts, which is our intention.”
Information
Ricardo Cólogan noted, “The videos demonstrate a broad range of styles, from everyday clothing to Sunday best, summer and winter attire, including some city outfits featuring the mantle and saya. We aim to showcase the versatility of combining various garments.” He and Medina agreed that those dedicated to preserving this legacy “are passionate about their work.” Dulce Rodríguez emphasised that “the main aim is to clarify that dressing as a magician is not simply about masquerading.” Additionally, she mentioned, “We are excited about continuing our collaboration with the Ministry to organise training sessions for teachers across both provinces and promote this in schools and parent associations.” Mari Carmen Almenara characterised the Sector Council as “a reference point for all the islands, which has accomplished remarkable work over the past decade.”
Catalog
The audiovisual catalogue of traditional clothing aims to safeguard this textile and ethnographic legacy while serving as an educational resource. Consequently, it will be accessible on social media (@indumentariadeTearife) and available to all. Clothing serves as a vessel of socioeconomic, historical, and geographical knowledge. A primary objective of this initiative is to provide information about how our ancestors dressed to those who seek it.
