Tenerife Museum Explores Shared Indigenous Legacies of Canary Islands and Mexico

The Canary Islands and Mexico share a deep, complex history that goes far beyond simple trade. To explore these ties, the Museum of Nature and Archaeology (MUNA) in Tenerife has launched a new exhibition titled "Concomitances: Indigenous Legacies, Presence, and Futures in Mexico and the Canary Islands." The display is free to the public and will remain open until November.

This exhibition is part of the 13th MUSA Mexico Festival, which aims to strengthen transatlantic connections by looking past traditional history books. Curated by Néstor Yanes and Gloria Godínez, the project blends anthropology, museum studies, and contemporary art. It is inspired by the work of anthropologist Fernando Estévez González, who argued that indigenous heritage should not be viewed as a relic of the past, but as a living force that continues to shape modern society.

The exhibition is organized into six themes, covering everything from origins and religious traditions to modern-day life and future outlooks. It also features a special section on the historical importance of cochineal in trade between the two regions. José Carlos Acha, the Minister of Culture, noted that the exhibition offers a valuable opportunity to reflect on the shared identity and heritage of both places.

The project is a significant collaborative effort, bringing together collections from twenty different organizations. Key contributors include the University of La Laguna, the Atlantic Center of Modern Art (CAAM), the Diocese of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, the CajaCanarias Foundation, and various island museums. By gathering these historical archives and artworks, MUNA has become a center for cultural discussion. The exhibition is further supported by a program of lectures, performances, films, and culinary events designed to help the public better understand the realities of modern Mexico.