Buenavista: Daute’s seafood market

At the time of its conquest, Achinech -the ancient name for Tenerife- was divided into nine kingdoms or menceyatos. Five of them (Tegueste, Tacoronte, Taoro, Icod, and Daute) formed the organized resistance against the armies led by the Adelantado Alonso Fernández de Lugo, which is why they became known as the "bandos de guerra" (warring factions).

It is estimated that the Daute faction encompassed the entire Teno massif and the region of Isla Baja (Buenavista del Norte, Los Silos, El Tanque, and Garachico). For the Guanches, the towering cliffs of Tenerife’s western coast—such as Los Gigantes—must have been particularly striking. For this reason, they chose the Berber word *tadawt ('back' or 'cliff'), the probable origin of the place name Daute, to name this rugged and remote area of the island.

The enclave of Buenavista del Norte saw intense and prolonged human occupation dating back to the first centuries of our era. For over a thousand years, the inhabitants of Isla Baja focused their production on two species of limpets: the black limpet (Patella crenata) and the white limpet (P. ulyssiponensis), ensuring the sustainability of the marine ecosystem.

Archaeological studies reveal that, despite intensive exploitation, the size of the catches did not decrease over the centuries. This suggests the existence of a harvesting system that allowed for the natural regeneration of the species.

The archaeological site of La Fuente has shown that the aboriginal population of Daute established true "seafood processing centers," as evidenced by the shell middens (concheros) of Punta Negra and El Tinajero. It is estimated that the surplus of limpets and sea snails produced in these enclaves, once salted, was traded with the populations of the island's interior. Thus, the salt flats of La Tablada may also have been part of this open-air aboriginal industry.

The town of Buenavista del Norte was founded in 1513 around the La Fuente estate, owned by the conqueror Juan Méndez from Extremadura. Previously, only a small, scattered settlement called Carnestolendas existed in the area.

In 1504, Méndez received a generous land grant (data) including coastal caves, the extent of which practically coincides with the current Buenavista golf course. Although this estate was initially intended for sugar cane production, around 1520 it was leased to the Portuguese Juan Afonso to plant the vines that would bring winemaking fame to the region.

In addition to the settlers from Extremadura and Portugal, the aboriginals of Gran Canaria played a prominent role in the repopulation of Daute, receiving grants from the Adelantado for their participation in the conquest of Tenerife. Among these Canarian conquerors, Pedro Texena stood out; he received a land grant similar to that of Juan Méndez, as well as the prized Cueva de Asena: a place where tradition locates the home of Romen, the last mencey ('king' in Guanche) of Daute.