Vacaguaré: The Practice of Kairotanasia Among the Awara
Historical accounts from Valentim Fernandes, Leonardo Torriani, Abreu Galindo, and Marín de Cubas reveal a significant cultural practice among the ancient inhabitants of La Palma. They noted a tradition where individuals, upon facing serious illness or impending death, would seek a secluded cave to die peacefully.
Fernandes wrote in 1506 that “if someone was ill or knew death was near, they were taken to a cave and left to die”. Torriani and Abreu Galindo elaborated, describing a ritual where the sick person would express a desire to die, be given milk, and placed on a bed of animal hides in a cave, which would then be sealed.
This practice is not deemed suicide but a culturally accepted act of autonomy, reflecting deep spiritual beliefs. Researchers suggest it aligns with the abandonment or forced removal of elderly individuals in nomadic cultures, referring to the phenomenon as gerontocide—though the historical texts focused primarily on the ill rather than the elderly. Therefore, the term kairotanasia, meaning a timely or voluntary death, is more appropriate.
An example of kairotanasia is the legendary story of Tanausú, who, after capture, stopped eating and repeatedly expressed a desire to die. Another tale speaks of Acerina, who also entered a cave to perish after Tanausú’s capture.
The word “vacaguaré,” derived from the ancient language, means “I wish to die.” It highlights the spiritual motivations behind these practices, where illness often linked to a soul’s distress necessitated this form of departure.
Archaeological evidence remains sparse, yet historical texts mention caves that housed beds of animal hides, raising the question: do such sites still exist in La Palma? Preliminary findings suggest at least three locations fit the criteria, characterized by unique elements reflective of ritualistic use.
Two notable sites include a cave at Montañita in El Paso and another in the Barranco de La Caldereta in Tijarafe, both exhibiting artificial structures and anthropomorphic carvings, reinforcing their significance in the ancient beliefs surrounding death.
These discoveries propose a compelling hypothesis: that these locations served as sites where kairotanasia practices may have unfolded, potentially corroborating the accounts of 16th-century chroniclers.
Acknowledgment: Fernando Díaz Hernández
References:
- Bouché, H. (2001). “Health in Cultures”. Educación XXI.
- Martín González, M. A. (2024). Ancient Canarians: The Memory of the Sacred. Bilenio Ediciones.
