Fuerteventura, the second-largest island in the Canary archipelago, is known for its vast beaches and volcanic landscapes. However, beyond its incredible natural beauty, this island holds many legends and tales passed down from generation to generation, enriching its history and culture. These stories, often shrouded in mystery, invite us to discover a different side of Fuerteventura. Do you want to learn about Fuerteventura’s legends? In this article, we will share four of the most well-known ones.
The Light of Mafasca
One of the most famous legends of Fuerteventura is the tale of the Light of Mafasca. According to the story, a group of shepherds, after a long day’s work, decided to light a bonfire to roast a lamb. In their search for firewood, they found a cross marking the spot where a deceased person was likely buried. Tired and hungry, they used the cross for the fire, disregarding its symbolism.
When the cross burned down, a small light emerged from the fire and began to move among them. Terrified, the shepherds believed it was the soul of the deceased, whose rest they had disturbed by destroying the only memorial connecting them to the world.
Since then, it is said that on dark nights, the mysterious light appears before travellers in the island’s most desolate areas.
The Mystery of Tindaya Mountain
Tindaya Mountain, known as Fuerteventura’s “sacred mountain,” is surrounded by legends and mystery. For the island’s ancient aboriginal inhabitants, the Majos, it was a site of great spiritual and ceremonial importance. On its slopes, engravings in the shape of human feet, known as podomorphs, have been found. These are believed to have been oriented towards the horizon where the sun sets, possibly as a connection to the afterlife or as a tribute to their gods.
According to legend, the mountain was a refuge for witches who performed rituals and dances under the moonlight, which is why it is associated with magic and the supernatural. Today, Tindaya remains a place of fascination, where history, archaeology, and mysticism intertwine, keeping its aura of mystery alive.
The Legend of Tibiabín and Tamonante
Before the arrival of the conquerors, Fuerteventura was divided into two kingdoms: Maxorata, ruled by Guise, and Jandía, led by Ayose. A long stone wall separated the two territories, helping to maintain peace between the kings. At that time, Tibiabín, a highly respected seer known for her predictions, and her daughter Tamonante, renowned for her wisdom and sense of justice, were deeply revered figures on the island.
Guise and Ayose, intrigued about the future of their kingdoms, consulted the wise women. Tibiabín predicted the arrival of foreigners from the sea and advised welcoming them in peace, assuring that they would bring hope and benefits. However, the monarchs rejected her advice. Shortly after, Spanish troops arrived in Fuerteventura, initiating a bloody conquest. Despite Tibiabín’s warnings, the islanders resisted fiercely but were ultimately defeated, forcing the kings to surrender.
Following the conquest, Tibiabín and Tamonante tried to maintain hope among the islanders, convinced that the foreigners would bring peace and prosperity. However, living conditions worsened under Spanish rule, and the people began to blame the two women for their suffering.
Their story had a tragic end: Tibiabín was captured during a pirate raid and taken aboard a ship from which she never returned, while Tamonante, devastated by her mother’s loss and the rejection of her people, decided to end her life by throwing herself into the Barranco del Janubio.
Today, the statues of these two kings, located at the Morro Velosa viewpoint, pay tribute to their legacy.
The Curse of Laurinaga
In the 15th century, Fuerteventura was ruled by Pedro Fernández de Saavedra, a nobleman known both for his skills in battle and for his numerous love affairs with the island’s women. Among his many descendants, from both his marriage to Constanza Sarmiento and his affairs with aboriginal women, one stood out: Luis Fernández de Herrera, a vain and reckless young man. Following in his father’s footsteps, Luis tried to seduce a Christianised young woman named Fernanda, who eventually agreed to accompany him on a hunting trip.
During the outing, Luis attempted to take advantage of her, but Fernanda defended herself, attracting the attention of an aboriginal farmer who rushed to her aid. In the struggle, Luis tried to stab the farmer, but the latter seized the weapon and nearly killed him. Before he could do so, Don Pedro arrived on horseback and charged at the farmer, killing him instantly. At that moment, an elderly woman appeared from among the trees—it was Laurinaga, the mother of the murdered farmer and a former lover of Don Pedro, with whom she had conceived the now-deceased young man.
Blinded by grief, Laurinaga cursed the island, invoking the Guanche gods to ensure Fuerteventura would suffer forever. Since then, according to legend, the scorching winds of the Sahara began to blow, drying the land and condemning it to the arid state that still characterises the island today.
These legends and tales form part of Fuerteventura’s rich cultural heritage. Exploring the island while learning about its stories is a way to connect with its past and better understand the unique character of this place. So, the next time you walk through its landscapes, remember that every corner of Fuerteventura has a story to tell.