The streets around the Plaza de la Constitución in Agaete were filled with an incessant crowd that, as every fourth of August, gathers to celebrate the La Rama festival. Accompanied by the whistles of bucios (conch shells) and the rumble of drums, cymbals, and trumpets, attendees expressed their excitement while carrying large branches brought from the slopes of Tamadaba, painting the joy of this popular festival under a sky dotted with colorful banners.
Amidst the celebration, makeshift baby strollers made from coolers and t-shirts with the Arehucas logo were visible. The stifling heat invited refreshment, whether with water sprayers or water guns, like those purchased by Diego Viera and Yamiley Medina, who planned a dip at Playa de las Nieves.
José Minguillón, from Los Realejos, used a large eucalyptus branch as a sunshade, joking about being "important branch people." Along with his friends, who arrived since six in the morning, they marveled at the festival, despite being regular visitors. Demelsa Rivero, accompanied by friends from abroad, stated: "Today we are all from Agaete, because this is a huge party," while looking for a bunch of laurel to make a bouquet, laughing at the thought of getting married.
The Lorenzo Medina family enjoyed dancing non-stop. The patriarch commented on the "good vibes" of the Canarians, while others prioritized beer to endure the day. "Up with the branch and let's dance," toasted a neighbor.
This year, a 'cabezudo' (large-headed figure) dedicated to Pepe El Perola, owner of the legendary bar on the Plaza de la Constitución, a meeting point for 33 years, joined the procession. The 'papahuevos' (water-splashing figures) distributed water, and Diego Hernández debuted a new character, "El Chino," to dance to the rhythm of the Agaete Band, expressing his dream of "carrying a big papahuevo." His younger sister, María, inherited "La Negra," and Ayoze Pereza's daughter, only one year and four months old, experienced her first Rama wearing a t-shirt that read "my first Rama."
Irene Herrera and Thais Alarcón traveled from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to dance with a branch in one hand and a drink in the other, highlighting the "good vibes" as the main protagonist. Valeria and Laura, from Arucas, experienced their first Rama, prepared for the heat with nuts and water. Julia and Ana, from Ukraine, learned about the festival through ChatGPT, surprised by the event's uniqueness.
However, not all memories are positive. Fifty-eight years ago, the father of Antonio, known as "El Caminero," drowned at sea on a fourth of August. This event profoundly marked the family, and since then, he avoids the celebration.
Finally, amidst bucios, drums, and branches, the 'romeros' (pilgrims) paraded through the streets of Agaete towards the Virgen de las Nieves. The sea welcomed the entire town at the beach, closing the festival by waving branches with fervor, as tradition dictates.
