Juego del Palo

The Canary Stick Game is an ancient practice of Guanche origin that has survived to this day as one of the most unique cultural expressions of the Canary Islands. Before the arrival of Europeans, the aboriginal islanders already used sticks as tools for self-defense, hunting, and combat. These sticks, known as astias or maderas, were usually made of wild olive, heather, or mulberry, chosen for their hardness and elasticity.

Oral tradition and chronicles of the conquest record that the Guanches mastered a sophisticated system of blows, blocks, and feints that allowed them to confront both human and animal adversaries. The stick served not only as a weapon but also as a status symbol and an everyday tool in pastoral and warrior life.

After the conquest, this technique did not disappear; it was transformed. Peasant and shepherd families continued to pass on the knowledge from generation to generation, especially in rural and mountainous areas. Each lineage or master developed a particular style, giving rise to different schools (long, medium, or short sticks), each with its own code of movements, distances, and rhythms.

The game, more than a combat, is a physical dialogue: two players face each other, seeking to touch the opponent with the stick, but without causing harm, demonstrating absolute control of the weapon. Respect is fundamental, and the unwritten rules are based on avoiding dangerous blows and recognizing the opponent's skill.

Today, the Juego del Palo Canario is recognized as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Canary Islands. It is taught in specialized schools and cultural associations, and in exhibitions and ethnographic fairs, it continues to inspire admiration for its elegance and connection to the Guanche roots.

Practiced in an earthen circle or on the green of the mountains, the rhythmic tapping of the sticks reminds us that, more than a simple sport, this game is a living legacy that has survived centuries, maintaining the warrior and noble spirit of the islands' first inhabitants.