Canarian nationalism is a political movement that encourages the national consciousness of theCanarian people. The term includes several ideological trends, ranging from a demand for further autonomy within Spain to theright to self-determination.
The origins of the Canarian people started with theSpanish conquest of the islands, when the localGuancheBerber[citation needed] population[1] were conquered and eventually assimilated and European-stylemanorialism introduced in most of the islands.[2]
During the last days of the conquest, on 30 May 1481, an aboriginal leader fromGran Canaria called Tenesor Semidán (afterwards baptized asFernando Guanarteme) signed a peace treaty withFernando II of Aragon, in the so-calledCarta de Calatayud.[3] This treaty defined the archipelago as a kingdom within the Spanish monarchy, establishing the legal framework for its administration and its relationship with Spain.[4]
The pact signed inCalatayud granted the rights and duties that would shape the Canarianfuero (Fuero de Canarias), which would soon be used in institutions such as theCabildos and theCanarian Court (Audiencia de Canarias). Notable rights stated in the fuero included an autonomous treasury and army, and the continuity of traditional Canarian customs and roles. The Canary Islands had its own currency[which?] until 1776.[5]
Initially only Gran Canaria accepted the pact, but one by one the whole group of islands eventually consented to the agreement.[6]
Spain failed to fulfill the pact several times, a failure that resulted in the uprisings of 1502 (Ichasagua), 1770 (La Aldea), and 1778 (Arico).[7]
The pact was finally discarded during theRestoration.[8]
The firstnationalist organizations were born in the 19th century as part of a locallabour movement. Some of its proponents wereJosé Cabrera Díaz,Nicolás Estévanez andSecundino Delgado. Delgado is considered today as the father of the Canarian nationalism.
The earliest nationalist parties were thePartido Popular (Autonomista), founded in 1901 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and theCanarian Nationalist Party, founded in 1924 in exile inCuba.[6]
During theSecond Spanish Republic Canarian nationalism went unnoticed; although an autonomy statute was proposed, theSpanish Civil War blocked hopes for autonomy.
Francoism fiercely oppressed any kind of regional nationalism in Spain and its colonies. However, the 1960s were years known for the activism of various groups. In 1959 the movementCanarias Libre acquired some notoriety, and in 1964,Antonio Cubillo founded theMPAIAC (Movement for theSelf-determination and Independence of the Canarian Archipelago). TheMPAIAC created the flag of the seven green stars that is accepted by the nationalist movement as a whole today.
During the last days of Francoism the DAC (Destacamentos Armados Canarios) and the FAG (Fuerzas Armadas Guanches), movements attached to Canarian nationalism, committedterrorist acts. Although the movements had initially attracted sympathies, the violent terror actions and the "armed struggle" spearheaded by Cubillo'sMPAIAC brought about a general rejection among local Canarios.[9]
One of the factors leading to the 1977Tenerife airport disaster, the most deadly accident in aviation history, was a bomb exploded by Canarian separatists inGran Canaria Airport.
Since 1982 theCanary Islands have had astatute of autonomy, which defines the archipelago as anationality of Spain.
In the 1980s a nationalist-like party called UPC (Canarian People's Union) was the third-most-voted party inCanary Islands. In 1985Antonio Cubillo returned from Algiers and founded theNational Congress of the Canaries (CNC).[10]
Since 1993, the nationalist partyCanarian Coalition has held the government of the islands.[11]
At present, many sorts of parties, trade unions and associations describe themselves as "nationalist," some of which support theBerberist cause.
The nationalist parties include CC (Canarian Coalition), NC (Nueva Canarias),[12] FREPIC-AWAÑAK (Popular Front of the Canary Islands), CCN (Nationalist Canarian Centre),[13] ANC (Canarian Nationalist Alternative),[14]Azarug,[15]Partido Nacionalista Canario[16]Alternativa Popular Canaria,Alternativa Maga Nacionalista,[17] and UP (Unidad del Pueblo).
There are also nationalist trade unions such as FSOC (Frente Sindical Obrero Canario), IC (Intersindical Canaria), as well as revolutionary organizations, likeInekaren.[18] Some radical groups use the wordTaknara to refer to the Canary Islands, but other nationalists do not agree with this name.[19]
The movement has recently undergone a modest renaissance. The popular newspaper of the islandsEl Día has changed its editorial line to fit the nationalists' cause. In its pages it is normal to read the opinion of historical nationalist activists. In particular the "Project for a Federal Canarian Republic", written byAntonio Cubillo, has created a stir and a media debate.[20]