Canaries: Land of Mysteries, Witches, and Legends

Canaries and Their Mysterious Legends: Stories of Witches and Ghosts

The Canary Islands have always been considered a mysterious place, worthy of movies with gnomes, fairies, spells, ghosts, and witches who become protagonists.

In fact, there is a book that compiles all the inexplicable events of our archipelago.

Do you know the legends that have become taboo and have been pursued by the Catholic Church?

In this article, we will analyze this rich cultural heritage, absolutely unmissable.

The aborigines, mystical authors of the Canary Islands

The paternity of that magical atmosphere that permeates the islands is attributed to the ancient pre-Columbian inhabitants, manifested especially in the ritual dances, generalized across all the islands, even when there was no communication between them.

In fact, it is possible to find similar rituals across all the islands, dating back to a time when there was no contact between them, probably the result of a common inheritance predating the aboriginal populations.

What were the bailaderos?

Apparently, they were places located in the mountains, where the ancient Canarians benefited from the energetic vibrations released by Mother Earth. The wide panoramic views allowed them to observe the mountain ranges, rich in native flora and fauna.

This iconic cult is based on rituals in honor of nature, considered a special being from which the witches obtained the energy to carry out their practices.

Regarding the term 'bailadero', there are two theories. The first suggests that its origin is due to the dances that took place in public spaces, where the pre-Columbian inhabitants celebrated their own rites, events, and religious festivities.

The second theory suggests that the inhabitants, through fasting and thirst, would make the sheep dance to invoke rain during times of drought.

The bailaderos, especially the famous one in Anaga and the Bailadero of Las Brujas, are still alive in collective memory.

ancestral places of Canary Islands which attract curious tourists

In fact, many witches and practitioners of occultism have arrived on the islands to carry out their rituals. Could this be why even today the bailaderos attract numerous tourists who decide to stay in the homes of local residents through Airbnb and participate in themed trips organized, like those found on Wikiloc?

Mysterious lights, haunted houses, and luminous beings

The mysterious legends of the Canary Islands are not only known for the spells performed at the bailaderos, but also for their haunted houses.

The soul of Ana González

In the small town of Tacande (island of La Palma), paranormal phenomena have been documented, such as the case of the soul of Ana González, who died in childbirth, visiting her family for 87 days in 1628 to cradle her newborn baby and rock the crib.

This tormented soul continued wandering through the feeling of guilt she felt for having concealed her pregnancy and for having died leaving her child without a mother.

According to mysterious legends, the Inquisition sent a priest to document conversations with the soul of the deceased. The house where she lived was destroyed in a fire, but the story has survived in the memory of the village.

The Mafasca Light of Fuerteventura

This is not the only case of wandering souls. Another famous story recounts how two travelers committed the sin of cooking a kid using the wood from a cross erected in honor of a deceased person.

Since then, the famous Mafasca Light, the protagonist of a feature film, has been seen in the plains located between Antigua and Betancuria (island of Fuerteventura). This bluish light takes the shape of a soccer ball and peacefully accompanies those who wander the solitary paths of the island.

Canary legends, white beings, and the girl with the pears

In the Barranco de Badajoz, the presence of lights and the so-called 'white beings' has also been documented. This legend originates from the story of the 'girl with the pears,' a little girl who, after venturing into the depths of the ravine in search of fruits, claimed to have encountered strange creatures with whom she spent a couple of hours.

However, in reality, she was missing for twenty years and reappeared without having aged a single day.

Witchcraft and superstitions: a universal phenomenon

The Canary Islands are not alone when it comes to witchcraft phenomena. They exist all over the planet, and some are particularly significant, such as those of the eight witch countries of Spain.

Undoubtedly, the most widespread legends and beliefs can be found in the infographic from Betway Casino, where the origins of lucky numbers are analyzed, as well as other superstitions that have endured over time.

For example, the hand of Hamsa or Fatima, a symbol of protection against the evil eye, is widely used in Muslim culture.

And although the long black-dressed witches may have died, they live on in the collective imagination thanks to oral tradition.

Conclusion: A legacy full of magic and mystery

The mysterious legends of the Canary Islands are part of an ancestral legacy that continues to fascinate both residents and tourists. From witches to inexplicable lights, these tales remain a key part of the mystical tourism in the Canary Islands.

If you want to learn more about the mystical places in the Canary Islands, you cannot miss visiting the ancient dance halls or listening to the stories shared under the moonlight.