Christmas ranchos

CHRISTMAS RANCHOS

   The “ranchos” came into being during the sixteenth century. Musical bands were formed that wandered the streets of towns to raise funds in order to celebrate masses for the people who had died and so help them out of purgatory. These groups took to the streets during the month of November, the month of the dead, and were so called “Ranchos of Souls”, but by extending this tradition to Christmas they became known as “Christmas ranchos”. They play ryhtms on stringed instruments, triangles, castanets, timples and tambourines. This custom was well established on the islands of Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote and alhough many have been lost, we are working to recover the tradition and some still exist. Among others, the ones in Teguise (Lanzarote), in La Aldea de San Nicolás (Gran Canaria) and in Tiscamanita (Fuerteventura).

THE DIVINE

   One of the most deeply rooted traditions in the Canaries is the groups known as The Divine that roam our streets singing songs from early December. They get their popular name from one of our most famous Chrsitmas carols with which they share the same name.

  

“LO DIVINO”, our traditional carol

Announce our singing,

The Saviour is born.

The sky, land and sea

Tremble full of love.

Horns and trumpets,

Drums and timbales,

Announce the birth

Of our God in heaven.

A tambourine sounds

I do not know where it goes

(…)

   NATIVITY PLAYS

   Another of the most anticipated moments in the Canaries is the night of January 5th when the excitement for the arrival of the three Magi permeates every corner of the islands. Besides the classic parade in which children and adults begin to experience the visito of the Three Wise Men coming from the East, it is also the time for nativity plays to be performed. If the whole performance of what happened that night their three majesties arrived is interesting, then perhaps the moment everyone looks forward to is when the star moves in the sky to point out where the manger is and to guide the  three kings there.