15.02.2010 - The doomed lovers Gara and Jonay, after whom La Gomera’s Laurisilva national park is named, were from La Gomera and Tenerife respectively.  She was the princess of Agulo, and, as was the custom in those days for maidens of the area during the festival of Beñesmén, gazed at her reflection in the waters of the Charcos del Epina. It was believed that if the water was clear, a maid would find a husband; if muddy, some misfortune would befall her.  When Gara looked at the water, she saw her reflection clearly.

However, she gazed too long and the sun’s reflection blinded her temporarily. A wise man named Gerián told her that this meant that she needed to avoid all fire or it would consume her.  Jonay was the son of the king of Adeje in Tenerife and was in Agulo to take part in the ceremonies. Jonay’s prowess in the games attracted the attention of Gara, and the two fell in love. Unfortunately, when the engagement was announced, Teide, visible from La Gomera, began to erupt as if in disapproval. This was interpreted as a bad sign and the couple’s respective parents broke the engagement. Jonay was made to return to Tenerife, but one night, he swam across the channel that separated the two islands and rejoined his beloved. Their respective fathers ordered that the two be found.

The lovers were soon trapped on a mountain, where they decided to take their own lives.  Neither of the two could find a way out of their situation. They took a lance made of laurel, sharpened at both ends and stabbed themselves in their chests, meeting death together, in each other’s embrace.



This article appears in the print edition 610 of Island Connections

Gallery: Gara & Jonay

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