Anaga, a lush and ancient forest on the island of Tenerife, is far more than a mere ecological remnant of prehistoric laurel trees; it is a mystical sanctuary where time seems to have paused, preserving a world of secrets and legends. This unique landscape, one of the oldest parts of the Canary Islands, is enshrouded in the myths and stories of the Guanche people, the original inhabitants of the archipelago. For centuries, these stories have woven a rich tapestry of mystery and magic, turning Anaga into a place where the sacred and the earthly intermingle.
The power of dance, which transcends simple physical movement, has been recognised in many cultures as a force capable of altering the world. Across different civilisations, dance has served as a medium for communicating with the divine, for invoking gods, and for celebrating life and nature’s cycles.
In Greek mythology, the maenads—ecstatic female followers of Dionysus, the god of wine, fertility, and madness—were believed to dance with such fervour that their movements could stir the very foundations of the earth. Their wild, ecstatic dances were seen as a way to connect with the divine, to lose themselves in a state of otherworldly frenzy that symbolised both creation and destruction.
This concept of sacred dance is mirrored in other ancient traditions. In Egypt, the goddess Hathor danced to bring fertility to the land. In Hindu mythology, the god Shiva performs his cosmic dance of destruction and rebirth, known as the “Tandava,” which keeps the universe in perpetual motion. In the Yoruba religion, the god Shangó dances a powerful, rhythmic dance that combines elements of both the warrior and the divine, while in Celtic mythology, the god Lug is said to shake the world with his mighty arm, his movements embodying the forces of creation and change.
Yet, one does not need to look so far to find evidence of sacred dances and enchanted forests. In Spain, the landscape is dotted with places where dance was far more than mere entertainment; it was a ritual, a means of connecting with the spiritual world. Anaga, for instance, holds its own mysterious past.
Nestled in the dense foliage of this ancient forest are countless caves and hidden pathways that were once believed to be home to the maguadas—women of the Guanche tribes who performed sacred dances, possibly to invoke the fertility of the land and the blessings of their gods. These dances were believed to harness the mystical energies of the forest, blending the sacred with the earthly in a ritualistic celebration of life and nature.
Anaga is not just an ecological treasure; it is a timeless sanctuary where nature and myth converge. The laurel forest, with its thick, emerald canopy and twisting paths, gives an impression of a place where time has come to a standstill. The caves, such as the flax cave, were once dwellings for ancient inhabitants, their walls echoing with the silent rhythms of long-forgotten rites.
The dances performed here—whether they were inspired by the ecstatic movements of the Greek maenads or adapted into local traditions—were likely seen as powerful rituals that connected the dancers with divine forces, calling on the gods to bless the earth and its people.
Today, the Anaga forest remains a place where the sacred and the mundane coexist, a place where dance continues to be more than a mere art form. Here, dance is a bridge to the divine, a way to communicate with forces beyond our comprehension. The forest’s very air seems to vibrate with the energy of ancient movements, inviting those who enter its depths to pause, reflect, and perhaps feel a little closer to the mysteries that lie hidden in the heart of this mystical landscape.
Anaga stands as a testament to the power of nature and the enduring human quest to connect with something greater than ourselves—a place where every leaf and branch whispers of secrets yet to be uncovered.
