Guacimara facts for kids

Guacimara is the name of a brave Guanche woman from old stories. She was said to be the daughter of the king, or Mencey, of Menceyato of Anaga in the Canary Islands. This was a long time ago, before European explorers arrived in the late 1400s.

Guacimara first appeared as a character in a long poem called Antigüedades de las Islas Afortunadas (meaning "Antiquities of the Fortunate Isles"). This poem was written by Antonio de Viana and published in 1604. Other writers, like Tomás Arias Marín de Cubas and José de Viera y Clavijo, later copied her story from this poem. Because of this, there is no real proof that Guacimara was a real person in history. She is mostly known as a legendary figure.

Guacimara: A Legendary Princess

Guacimara is a famous character in the legends of the Canary Islands. She represents the strong women of the Guanches, the native people who lived on the islands before Europeans arrived. Her story helps us imagine what life might have been like in those ancient times.

Who Were the Guanches?

The Guanches were the first people to live on the Canary Islands. They had their own kings, called Menceys, who ruled different parts of the islands. The island of Tenerife, where Guacimara's story takes place, was divided into several small kingdoms. The Guanches were known for their unique culture and their strong connection to their land.

Where Did Her Story Come From?

The story of Guacimara comes from a famous poem written in the 1600s. This poem was one of the first detailed accounts of the Guanche people and their history. Even though the poem made Guacimara famous, it's important to remember that she is a character from a story, not someone whose life is recorded in historical documents. Her tale was passed down and retold by many authors over the years.

Her Family in the Poem

In Antonio de Viana's poem, Guacimara is described as the only daughter and heir of Beneharo. Beneharo was a real historical ruler, or Mencey, of Anaga. Later, a doctor named Juan Bethencourt Alfonso added more details to her family tree. He suggested that Beneharo also had two other children: a son named Enrique and another daughter named Guajara, who was married to a man named Tinguaro. These details help to make Guacimara's story richer, even if they are part of a legend.

See also

In Spanish: Guacimara para niños