What did Canary Islanders look like?

Studies from LJMU (opens in a new tab) reaffirm origins in North Africa but also provide evidence of medium skin tone, brown eyes and brown hair colour. The first physical appearance of native Canarians was described by the 19th century chroniclers as tall and gigantic in appearances with gold hair.



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They are most probably descendants of the Berber peoples of northern Africa. The islands were conquered by Castile at the beginning of the 15th century. In 1402, they began to subdue and suppress the native Guanche population. The Guanches were initially enslaved and gradually absorbed.

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They were very tall; the men were normally from five feet nine inches to six feet two inches in height. Some had clear rosy skin with blonde hair and blue eyes. Guanches were extraordinarily strong and very nimble, which was attributed to their open caves and outdoor life.

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Geographically the islands are part of the African continent but from a historical, economical, political and socio-cultural point of view, the Canarias are completely European.

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No, they consider themselves to be Spanish and Canarian. The Canary Islands were conquered by Spain more than five centuries ago and are culturally European. They are proud of their Guanche heritage but feel it as their own distinct native roots, not as related to Berbers or North Africa.

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Although politically they are part of Spain, the Canary Islands are closer to Africa than they are to Europe and so geographically they are part of the African continent.

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The original inhabitants of the Canaries were the Guanches (see Guanche and Canario); now assimilated into the general population, they were a Berber people who were conquered by the Spanish in the 15th century.

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The Canary Islands were created by a series of volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. The oldest of these is Fuerteventura, which is thought to be over 20 million years old, followed by Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro, respectively.

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La Palma - best for jaw-dropping scenery It's no wonder that the most north-westerly of the Canary Islands is known as both La Isla Bonita (The Beautiful Island) and La Isla Verde (The Green Island). The capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma, is an attractive history-rich town that's well worth a day (or two) of exploration.

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