There are some names in Tenerife that almost everyone grows up hearing.
Los Sabandeños is one of them.
Now, through a new educational project linked to Canary Islands Day, primary school pupils across La Laguna have been discovering the history, music and cultural legacy of one of the islands’ most recognisable folk groups.
The initiative, called “Discovering Los Sabandeños”, has been running throughout May in schools across the municipality.
Bringing Canary Traditions into the Classroom
The project is organised by the Los Sabandeños Foundation in collaboration with La Laguna Council as part of the municipality’s Canary Islands Day programme.
Activities introduced pupils to:
• The origins of Los Sabandeños
• Traditional Canary Islands instruments
• The group’s musical journey over the years
• The role of folklore in island identity and culture
Because for many children now… traditional music probably competes with TikTok and YouTube algorithms.
So getting it into classrooms makes sense.
Learning Through Music and Participation
The sessions were designed to be practical rather than just historical.
Activities included:
• Live educational performances
• Interactive music sessions
• Participation with traditional instruments and songs
• Age-adapted workshops for primary pupils
The idea was to let children experience the music directly rather than simply learn about it.
Keeping Traditions Alive
According to Education and Youth Councillor Sergio Eiroa, projects like this help younger generations understand both the musical and social importance of groups such as Los Sabandeños.
He also highlighted the importance of helping children build a connection with local identity and traditions.
And he’s probably right.
Tenerife changes quickly.
Keeping some things familiar isn’t a bad idea.
Especially when they come with timples and folk songs instead of another phone notification.