Dácil facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dácil
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A statue of Dácil in La Orotava
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| Born | c. 1460 |
| Died | Unknown Unknown
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| Occupation | Princess (daughter of Bencomo) |
| Spouse(s) | Fernando García del Castillo |
| Parent(s) | Bencomo |
Princess Dácil was a brave and beautiful princess from the Guanche people. She lived in the ancient kingdom of Taoro on the sunny island of Tenerife, which is part of the Canary Islands. Dácil is famous for her special marriage to a Spanish captain who came to the island.
Growing Up in Taoro
Dácil, also sometimes called Dácila, was born in the old kingdom of Taoro on Tenerife island. This was in the late 1400s. Her grandfather was the powerful Mencey (king) Bencomo. Her parents were Adjona and Caseloria.
Dácil had five brothers: Bentor, Ruiman, Rosalva, Chachiñama, and Tiñate. People all over the island admired Dácil because she was very beautiful. She was known for her blonde hair, green eyes, and freckles. Many native people in northern Tenerife looked like this.
Her Unique Love Story
Dácil was supposed to marry a Guanche man named Duriman el Montañes. But then, a Spanish Captain named Fernando García del Castillo arrived. He was a Castilian officer from a Spanish horse-riding unit.
Captain Fernando was captured and injured in a battle. Princess Dácil was asked to take care of his wounds. Some historians say that Captain Fernando also helped the Guanches and the Spanish talk to each other. He was even respected by the King of Taoro.
Soon, people started to whisper that Captain Fernando and Princess Dácil were falling in love. They were believed to have talked alone, which was against Guanche rules. Duriman el Montañes, who was supposed to marry Dácil, became very upset. He spread rumors that Dácil was meeting alone with an enemy soldier.
Duriman asked King Bencomo, Dácil's grandfather, to arrest her. Bencomo had to follow the law and Dácil was put in prison for many months. When she was finally released, Dácil convinced Bencomo that she had never met Captain Fernando alone. She had many witnesses who could say she was always with others when they met.
Later, Dácil married Captain Fernando in a church in Los Realejos. She was given a new name, Mencías del Castillo, after her baptism. We don't know when Dácil died or where she was buried.
Dácil's Lasting Impact
- A Symbol of Peace: Dácil's marriage to a Castilian was seen as a way to bring the Guanche people and the Spanish people closer. Even though the Spanish later took control of the islands, her story became a symbol of connection.
- Famous in Poems: A poet named Antonio de Viana (who lived from 1578 to about 1650) wrote a famous poem about Dácil. It was in his book La Conquista de Tenerife (The Conquest of Tenerife), published in 1604. Many people learned about the princess through this poem.
- Her Name Lives On: Dácil is one of the special Guanche names that are still used today. Many people in the Canary Islands are named Dácil.
- A Well-Known Figure: She is one of the most famous historical figures from the Canary Islands.
See also
In Spanish: Dácil para niños
