Fasnia Celebrates Tenth Edition of 'La Mudá' to Preserve Canarian Rural Heritage

Nearly two hundred people gathered in Fasnia this past weekend to celebrate the tenth edition of 'La Mudá,' an event dedicated to preserving the rural history of the Canary Islands. Organized by the Montañeros de Uzapa association, the event is more than just a cultural display; it is a way to protect the traditional customs that sustained island life until the mid-20th century.

The event focused on transhumance—the historical practice of moving livestock and belongings from the coast to higher altitudes in search of better pastures and weather. Participants trekked three kilometers to the hamlet of Archifira, located 1,000 meters above sea level, to reenact the seasonal migration that once defined local life. Fasnia’s mayor, Luis Javier González, noted that the event is an essential way for new generations to understand the region's identity through its history.

The Montañeros de Uzapa, founded in 2001 by Pablo Lorenzo García Marrero, works year-round to promote this heritage. Their efforts include documenting the stories of local elders and developing an interpretation center in the El Burgado caves. With support from the Fasnia City Council and the Tenerife Rural Foundation, the group ensures that these traditions are not lost to modern socioeconomic changes.

This movement to reconnect with the past is growing across the archipelago. For example, the nineteenth edition of 'Al paso de la cumbre' recently took place between El Tanque and Garachico. That event focuses on traditional bartering, recreating the interactions between shepherds, artisans, and other members of historical society. Both events serve the same purpose: turning the landscape into an open-air classroom where history helps younger generations understand the foundations of Canarian life.