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Q: I have heard tell of the Guanches in Tenerife but I am not sure what they are, can you tell me what or who they are/were? Jean Turton
A: Hi Jean, thanks for your question about the Tenerife Guanches here on Tenerife Times, let me try and explain to you who they were.
Long before the Spanish invaded Tenerife, the original inhabitants of the Island were known as the Guanches , it is believed that they arrived on the Island as early as the 5th Century and were thought to have come from Africa. 
Photo courtesy of Tenerife-Photo.com (click the image for a larger picture)
The term Guanches or Guanchos is a Castilian (Spanish) derivative of the term Guanchinet which literally means person or man (Guan) of Tenerife (Chinet) in the original language of the early Guanches. This language was an early day derivative of the modern day Berber language spoken by the inhabitants of North Africa, West of the Nile Valley.
Evidence (or lack of it!) points to the Guanches being brought to Tenerife by others as opposed to them having come of their own volition. The lack of any archaeological remains of any type of sea going vessel would seem to suggest that they had originally been brought to the Island and then left there.
The Guanches were herders and brought with them Goats, Pigs, Sheep and Dogs, they lived in Caves many of which can still be seen as you tour around Tenerife. |
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