The Guanches belong to the lost indigenous population of the Canary Islands. Originating from North Africa, they held a rich culture and unique practices. Their existence, however, was eclipsed following the Spanish conquest.

Origins and Ancestry

The Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago, are located in the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of Morocco. Today, their population is a melting pot, quite different from the past when the indigenous Guanches were the sole inhabitants. These people are believed to have migrated from North Africa, and genetic evidence supports the theory that the Guanches were of Berber descent, a fact also suggested by linguistic studies of their language.

Discovery and Early Conflicts

Historical records suggest that the Canary Islands were known to the Romans and possibly the Phoenicians, but the European rediscovery in the modern period is attributed to the Genoese navigator Lanzarotto Malocello between 1310 and 1339. He constructed a fort there, the remnants of which were found by French explorers, including Jean de Béthencourt, in 1402. Subsequent conflicts arose, highlighted by the power struggle involving a Norman noble, Berneval, who attempted a coup during Béthencourt’s absence. He captured a Guanche leader but failed in his broader ambitions, ultimately fleeing to Spain. Béthencourt, informed of his treachery, ensured Berneval faced justice.

Spanish Colonization and Guanche Resistance

Spanish colonization began in earnest in the 15th century, encountering fierce resistance from the Guanches, who opposed any form of cultural assimilation. Their resistance, however, was brutally suppressed, and their society began to collapse. By the end of the 17th century, the Guanche culture and people had largely vanished, due not only to warfare and enslavement but also to intermarriage, disease, and assimilation.

Guanche kings of Tenerife surrendering to Alonso Fernández de Lugo.
Guanche kings of Tenerife surrendered to Alonso Fernández de Lugo. (Source: Wikipedia)

Cultural Heritage and Practices

The Guanches left an indelible mark through their cultural practices. Notably, they mummified their dead, a practice that, along with their cave burials, underscores their unique cultural identity. Further attesting to their level of civilization, there’s evidence, discovered by French researcher René Verneau, that the Guanches of Hierro had developed a form of hieroglyphic writing, likely influenced by their Berber ancestry.

The legacy of the Guanches is a testament to the rich cultural tapestries that vanish throughout history, often eclipsed by the expansion of empires and the relentless march of time.”

Historical Challenge: Can You Conquer the Past?

Answer more than 18 questions correctly, and you will win a copy of History Chronicles Magazine Vol 1! Take our interactive history quiz now and put your knowledge to the test!

History Quiz

1 / 20

When did Germany officially reunify after being separated into East and West Germany?

2 / 20

Which Viking warrior is remembered for dying heroically at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066, marking the end of the Viking Age?

3 / 20

Britain annexed Hong Kong as a result of which war?

4 / 20

In what year did the English take over New Amsterdam from the Dutch and rename it, New York?

5 / 20

What is the English translation of "Semper fidelis"?

6 / 20

Do you know to which pre-Columbian civilization the golden ornament in the photograph, kept in the Metropolitan Museum in the US, is attributed?

7 / 20

What was the Viking name for the region in northern France that they settled and ruled?

8 / 20

Who was the last Muslim ruler of Granada, effectively ending the Reconquista?

9 / 20

When did Germany officially reunify after being separated into East and West Germany?

10 / 20

What date is considered the start of World War II?

11 / 20

In what year was Abraham Lincoln born?

12 / 20

What was the capital city of Ancient Egypt during the Old Kingdom?

13 / 20

World War II started with Germany attacking which country?

14 / 20

What was the name of JFK’s famous inaugural speech quote? "Ask not what your country can do for you..."

15 / 20

Do you know which artist is the author of the painting "The Harvest"?

16 / 20

In what year did the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York occur?

17 / 20

What was the given name of the hugely popular first wife of Juan Perón, leader of Argentina?

18 / 20

Which famous speech did Abraham Lincoln deliver on November 19, 1863?

19 / 20

Which battle was a significant victory for the Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes over the U.S. Army?

20 / 20

Where was Abraham Lincoln assassinated?

Your score is

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
History Chronicles
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.