This ensemble represents the nine ancient local kings called «Menceyes» who ruled Tenerife until the conquest in 1496. The island was divided into nine territorial areas, known as menceyatos: Abona, Adeje, Anaga, Daute, Güímar, Icod, Tacoronte, Taoro and Tegueste. Inhabitants were known as Guanches and each king was called Mencey. The Mencey was in charge of establishing the rules, dispensing justice, directing clashes or religious acts, in particular those aimed at invoking rain. The Virgin of Candelaria was their principal deity, whom they called Chaxiraxi (mother of the Sustainer of Heaven and Earth).
The Menceyes’ sculptures can be seen at Candelaria’s main square. In 1993 the renowned sculptor José Abad (La Laguna), made these majestic bronze statues that welcome visitors and remind us of the island’s aboriginal past.
The Guanches, ancient inhabitants of Tenerife, were linked to the history of the Virgin of Candelaria. The Guanches found her carving and brought it to these lands, thus founding the Villa de Candelaria. The Guanches were tall, robust, and strong men. They were North African Berber or Amasigh people and were conquered by the Castilians in 1496. They generally lived in caves and other natural formations. They herded goats and sheep and supplemented their economy with agriculture and harvesting. They also gathered shellfish and, to a lesser extent, fish. These ancient settlers worked clay by hand as they did not have potter’s wheel. However, the high quality of their hand-made pottery is well known. They wore skins, made their own tools and wooden staffs as a symbol of their hierarchy. However, this baton could only be carried by kings or Menceyes. During their island conquest, Castilians observed that the island was divided into the following nine territories or menceyatos: Anaga, Tegueste, Tacoronte, Taoro, Icode, Daute, Adeje, Abona, and Güímar.
