Fernando Guanarteme (born Tenesor Semidan) was a Guanche King and ally of the Spaniards who assisted them in their conquest of the Canary Islands during the late fifteenth century. He was originally from Gran Canaria. He traveled several times to the court of Ferdinand and Isabella, who served as godparents to his baptism, which was celebrated with great splendor on May 30, 1481 in the city of Calatayud. He aided Castilians during the Battle of Aguere (1494), on the island of Tenerife. His brother was Maninidra.

Statue of Tenesor Semidán by Juan Borges Linares in Gáldar

By participating in the conquest of the Canary Islands, Fernando Guanarteme is subject to animosity among Canary Islanders as a traitor of their land and culture.[1]

References

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  1. ^ Onrubia Pintado, Jorge (26 January 2014). "El recuerdo de Guanarteme". La Opinión de Tenerife (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 28 January 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2024.

Sources

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  • Gáldar
  • José Juan Acosta; Félix Rodríguez Lorenzo; Carmelo L. Quintero Padrón, Conquista y Colonización (Santa Cruz de Tenerife: Centro de la Cultura Popular Canaria, 1988), p. 52.