Antón Guanche facts for kids

Antón Guanche was a young man from the Guanche people, who were the first inhabitants of the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Spain. His story is important because it connects the Guanche people with the Christian image of the Virgin of Candelaria, who is now the patron saint of the Canary Islands. This happened before Europeans fully took over the island.

A New Life

Around the year 1420, when Antón was a boy, he was captured near the coast of Güímar. European settlers from other Canary Islands, like Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, sometimes raided unconquered islands. They would capture people during these raids.

Years later, Antón became a Christian and was given the name Antón. He also gained his freedom. Some stories say his master freed him so he could return to Tenerife and teach his own people about Christianity. Other stories suggest he escaped during a trip back to the island.

The Virgin of Candelaria

When Antón returned to Tenerife, the Guanches found him. They took him to the cave of Chinguaro, where the king (or mencey) of Güímar lived. There, Antón saw a special statue that the Guanches worshipped. They called this statue Chaxiraxi.

Antón recognized the statue as the Virgin Mary. He explained to the king who the image truly was. He also convinced the king that the statue should have its own special place. So, the image was moved to the cave of Achbinico. Antón was then given the important job of looking after it.

Antón also helped as a translator for missionaries who came to the island. One famous missionary was Alfonso de Bolaños, who was known as the "Apostle of Tenerife." Antón helped him and other monks talk to the Guanche people.

See also

• Menceyato of Güímar
• Canary Islands in pre-colonial times