Guanche is the name that is applied to the aborigines of the island of Tenerife. Those who lived in it before 1496, when the Castilian people conquered the island.
The word guanche, in the beginning, only referred to the aborigines of the island of Tenerife. The main reason is that the culture of Tenerife has been the most studied and disseminated. However, over the years it has spread to the rest of the islands, designating the aborigines of the entire archipelago.
In its origin, the Guanches called the island of Tenerife, “Achinech”, it is an affectionate expression translated as “here is my land”. The origin of Guanche civilization is still unknown today.
But there are documents related by the descendants of the first Guanches where they explain the arrival of their ancestors. According to them, a group of 60 people arrived on the island, among them they united and formed a home in what is now known as Icod de los Vinos.
Although, they do not know where they came from. This is why the origin of the aborigines remains an unknown issue. The oldest dates of the aboriginal people were obtained in an archaeological site of Icod de los Vinos.
In what is known as Cueva de los Guanches. Through these deposits, the arrival of the first aborigines is located around the 6th century a.C. 03Before the conquest, it is estimated that approximately 15,000-20,000 inhabitants inhabited the island.
The most populated territories were those in the north of the island. Since they had better environmental conditions.
The main livelihood of the Guanches was livestock, specifically goats and sheep, although they also owned pigs. They were mainly dedicated to pastoralism transhumance, that is, they moved throughout the territory.
In summer they moved to the high mountains around Las Cañadas del Teide. While, in winter, took advantage of the middle and coastal areas.
Agriculture was important, but in a complementary way to livestock, because it was very rudimentary. They cultivated barley, wheat and vegetables. With the cereals, once roasted and ground they made, the well-known, gofio. In addition, they collected fruits such as bicácaros, figs or blackberries of bramble.