Blog

In a few weeks time, Gran Canaria celebrates one of its oldest traditions. Book your flights to Gran Canaria now if you're up for an authentic experience of the aboriginal past of the Canary islands.

Taking place from 7th until 11th September every year, the Fiesta del Charco exhibits one of the most long lasting traditions of this island's Canarian ancestors. The custom will take place at Playa de la Aldea during the early evening, when locals jump fully clothed into the saltwater lake and attempt to catch fish with their bare hands. The tradition originates from a native fishing method called embarbascada, which uses a plant sap from spurges or euphorbia plants which is poisonous to fish and stuns them into inactivity, making them easier to catch. To humans, the sap of most euphorbias is just mildly irritant, perhaps causing a minor rash, but to the fish it has a more debilitating effect.

The lagoon (El Charco) is a popular bathing place at any time of the year, but during the Fiesta it becomes packed with locals trying out the fishing technique as well as splashing each other or participating in Canarian wrestling or fighting with sticks.

The fiesta is certainly a spectacular sight with literally hundreds of people lined up around the edge of the lagoon waiting for the signal to start. Once given the go ahead, everyone charges into the lagoon to start event. If you are in the area of Nicolas de Tolentino during early September, then check out local notices for the exact date of the fiesta.