Lustrales are celebrated once every five years on the second-smallest Canary Island. A rare moment of communion steeped in tradition.
The drums resonate, the guitar strings vibrate under the agile fingers, and the voices rise with bliss. This Saturday, October 6, 2018, the procession met in the parking lot of the San Sebastián de La Gomera College. Classified by village and by bandas, the assembly begins its march towards the city center. The start of a festive weekend.
Lustrales are celebrated once every five years on the second smallest Canary Island. For several weeks, La Gomera, island of customs and traditions, vibrates to the rhythm of celebrations dedicated to the Virgin of Guadeloupe.
In a few hours, the historic square “Plaza de las Americas” fills up. Families come together and sit at the few tables set up by the municipality. Everyone wore traditional costume, wearing the colors of their village or island. The day, punctuated by the sound of bandas, is placed under the sign of communion.
We share, we mingle. Silbo, the whistled language of the Gomeros, resonates in the village. It reinforces the feeling of belonging and provokes cheerful collective reactions. The celebration is in full swing.
The party continues until late at night, with the bandas taking turns one by one in the streets of the city or in the Plaza de las Americas.
The Virgin of Guadeloupe only makes her appearance two days later, Monday, October 8. Celebrated every five years since the mid-19th century, it is the guardian of the island and its inhabitants. After an endless wait on the beach of San Sebastian, where the faithful play, shout, sing, and dance, the long-awaited moment arrives.
Mark