Tunte Revives the Bajada del Carbonero with Over 800 Participants

The traditional festival honoring San Bartolomé Apóstol revives an ancestral trade from the Tirajana highlands, blackening the village streets.

People dressed as charcoal makers descend through the streets of Tunte during the Bajada del Carbonero.
IA

People dressed as charcoal makers descend through the streets of Tunte during the Bajada del Carbonero.

More than 800 people participated in the Bajada del Carbonero in Tunte, a celebration that revives an ancient trade from the Tirajana highlands during the Patron Saint Festivals honoring San Bartolomé Apóstol.

The town of Tunte, in the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, hosted a new edition of the Bajada del Carbonero, an event that brings together hundreds of people to keep alive the memory of a traditional trade from the Canary Islands highlands. Over 800 participants, blackened with soot and dressed as traditional charcoal makers, paraded through the village streets accompanied by the music of the Banda Isleña.
The procession departed at 6:00 PM from the Plaza del Carbonero in Las Lagunas, descending through the town center while residents threw water from balconies and windows, recreating characteristic elements of this celebration. The festival is not only festive but also aims to preserve the historical memory linked to the charcoal-making work, which was a way of life for generations in the highlands of Tirajana.

"The Bajada del Carbonero keeps alive the memory of a trade linked to the history and identity of the Tirajana highlands."

Alejandro Marichal · First Deputy Mayor of San Bartolomé de Tirajana
The First Deputy Mayor, Alejandro Marichal, highlighted the celebration's importance in connecting the present with the municipality's past and ensuring that new generations learn about the lifestyles and work of their ancestors. The Councilor for Festivals and Events, Yilenia Vega, emphasized the goal of having young people not only enjoy the festival but also understand its origins and embrace this tradition.
After the descent, the day continued with the Verbena del Carbonero starting at 8:00 PM, featuring performances by Star Music, Leyenda Joven, D'Music, and DJ Línea. The Patron Saint Festivals in honor of San Bartolomé Apóstol continue this Monday, August 24, with the Diana Floreada, religious service, procession, Sancocho Canario, and the Gran Gala Fin de Fiestas.