The historian highlighted the resilience of the people of Fuerteventura and the importance of preserving their culture and traditions
The Fiestas in Honour of Our Lady of La Peña 2025 commenced today, Thursday 18 September, with the opening speech delivered by the influential local historian Inma de Armas, who has played a pivotal role in the cultural and historical development of Fuerteventura.
Significance of the Festivities
Lola García, the President of the Cabildo of Fuerteventura, emphasised the significance of these festivities, stating, “This is a very special occasion for all of us living in Fuerteventura. These days are about sharing our journey, traditions, and devotion, and it is during this time that we feel an even greater pride in being part of this Island.”
She also praised Inma de Armas as a researcher and author of publications that have enriched the present and planted the seeds for our island’s future, ensuring we do not forget where we come from.
A Community Celebration
Enrique Cerdeña, the Mayor of Betancuria, highlighted the joy and excitement felt in La Vega de Río Palmas as it welcomes pilgrims from all over the Island to gather in the home of the patron saint, the sanctuary of the Virgin of La Peña. The festivities kick off with an opening speech by a historian renowned for her extensive contributions to cultural work.
The event was also attended by Rayco León, the Councillor for Culture, other members of the Cabildo’s governing and opposition groups, municipal mayors, parliamentary deputies, as well as local residents and civil, military, and ecclesiastical authorities.
Musical Performances and Historical Insights
The ceremony began with a musical performance by the production group Folk Canarias.
Inma de Armas provided an insightful journey through the history of Fuerteventura, focusing on water as a central theme. She recalled how this vital resource and its management have been crucial to the lives of islanders throughout the centuries, from the indigenous peoples to the modern era marked by the establishment of the first desalination plant in 1970.
She elaborated on methods such as the “gavias,” which are quite similar to those used by Berber peoples, prompting various hypotheses regarding the traditional way of life on the island.
Between 1406 and 1418, the Normans lived alongside the indigenous population and new Berber settlers, creating “a melting pot of languages and cultures” from which terms derived from Berber languages emerged, such as Fayagua, Amanay, and Tababaire, to name various locations and springs throughout the Island.
With the arrival of the Castilians, grain export became the economic foundation. At this time, the landscape began to evolve with the introduction of gavias, vegas, maretas, and wells equipped with norias. She also referenced the cisterns, designed to withstand long periods of drought, including the Chó Julia cistern in Villaverde and the recently restored El Veneno and Redondo in La Oliva.
The Importance of Water Culture
Additionally, the historian mentioned the use of distillers for domestic water purification, the prolonged drought periods, and the role of “varistas,” who identified underground water sources by means of the vibrations of a forked stick.
These elements have contributed to a culture that ensures “not a single drop is wasted, and underscores the respect for water culture as intrinsically linked to our lives,” asserted De Armas, who concluded by congratulating the Vega de Río Palmas for hosting a celebration that unites the entire island year after year.
About Inma de Armas
Inma de Armas is a local historian who has played a key role since the 1980s in cataloguing the Insular Historical Archive and coordinating the Popular University of Fuerteventura, laying solid foundations for knowledge preservation and dissemination on the island.
She led the Cabildo’s Cultural Service for more than two decades, promoting essential projects such as the opening of the Casa Museo Miguel de Unamuno and numerous editorial and research initiatives. Her work has always been focused on valuing collective memory and strengthening the identity of Fuerteventura.
