Festival of the Rama in Agaete

Meet a beautiful tradition that is celebrated on August 4th in Agaete, a municipality of Gran Canaria. It is the Fiesta de La Rama, an important symbol of identity of this town.

What is the Fiesta de La Palma?

The Fiesta de la Rama is a festivity that is celebrated one day before the main festivity in honor of the Virgen de Las Nieves. It is a tradition that comes from ancient inhabitants, who performed rites in times of drought, to please and thank the gods. It has been declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest since 1972.

How is the Fiesta de la Rama de Agaete celebrated?

This festivity begins on August 4th at 10 am with La Rama, going around the town. Thousands of dancers gather, who dance with branches of pine, eucalyptus and pennyroyal to the sound of music and in the middle of the crowd that attends this great celebration, with the streets crowded with attendees.

On the way to the sanctuary of the Virgin of Las Nieves they wave branches in the air with joy and rejoicing, handing them to the virgin as an offering. It ends at 6 p.m. at the hermitage of Puerto de Las Nieves.

A symbolic and characteristic element of the Fiesta de la Rama are the traditional giant papagüevos, big-headed characters that represent great personalities of the history of the municipality of Agaete.

Origins of the celebration of the Fiesta de la Rama in Agaete

It is estimated that this popular festivity has a similar connotation to an aboriginal Canarian rite for the petition of rain, bringing branches from the mountain of Tirma. In the sea they would hit the branches in the water, accompanied by chants to pray to God.

Curiosities of the Fiesta de la Rama (Branch Festival)

Know some curious and interesting facts about the Fiesta de la Rama in Agaete:

• The Rama de Agaete comes from an ancient custom known as "enramada". It was a rite that consisted of making an offering in certain sacred places, to ask for rain in times of drought.
• The "papagüevos" have wooden frames that hold the large head, made of cardboard.

What else can you see or do in Agaete?

It is worth touring the natural wonders and sites of cultural interest that you will find in Agaete. Below, we describe some of them:

• Tamabada Natural Park: it is a magnificent protected area of 7,500 hectares. It includes a recreational area "Llanos de La Mimbre" surrounded by fragrant pine trees, among other natural attractions of the park.
• Huerto de Las Flores: it is a beautiful botanical garden dating from the 19th century, with more than 100 species of exotic and tropical plants from different parts of the world.
• Ermita de Nuestra Señora de Las Nieves: this building was built in the 16th century and is located in Puerto de Las Nieves. It contains a Flemish triptych of great artistic value: Nuestra Señora de Las Nieves.
• Museum of La Rama: it is a museum created in 2010 that shows the history and tradition of the Fiesta de La Rama. It includes images and elements of this festivity.
• Casa Fuerte: it is a fortress built in 1481, located between Puerto de Las Nieves and Agaete.
• Other places to visit: El Risco, Barranco de Guayedra, beaches of Agaete (Playa del Jungal, Playa de La Caleta, Las Salinas, Playa de Las Nieves).

Gastronomy

The gastronomy of Agaete is seafood, outstanding for its fresh fish Do you feel like enjoying some of these typical dishes? A real delight:

• Fish broth.
• Grilled fresh fish.
• Las Viejas.
• Grilled sardines.
• Scalded gofio.
• Chuchangas in boiled mojo.
• Lapas grilled.
• Flan de Café de Algaete.
• Share photos, videos and interesting information about the Fiesta de la Rama in Agaete on social networks. Use the hashtags #LaRamadeAgaete #Agaete