Photos: Sergio Betancort
The residents of the town of Soo celebrated last Saturday the festival of San Juan Evangelista, known among the community as "San Juan el de los Mayores", since in the past it was the elders of the town who were in charge of arranging all the preparations for the celebration, while the young people did the same with San Juan Bautista on June 24.
At 5:00 p.m. the celebration of mass began, presided over by the parish priest of Tinajo, Víctor Domínguez. The ceremony included the participation in the liturgical songs of the musical group Alborada Peña del Lentisco. After the mass, the procession took place, which was followed by the residents of the town.
During this day, the sculpture dedicated to the game of Pelota Mano was also inaugurated. The objective of the Government group of Teguise is that this sculpture is not only contemplated as a decorative object, but also serves as a historical reference for all those who do not know the cultural legacy that this game constitutes and that is still in force today.
A tradition that resurfaces
The sculpture was made by the young resident of Teguise Rigoberto Camacho, a graduate in Fine Arts and very identified with the culture of his town. The artist is knowledgeable about this sporting activity, which he practiced with the deceased neighbor Benigno Rodríguez. The work measures 2 meters high by 1.40 meters wide and 1.20 meters long. Weighing 1,200 kilos, it is made with weather-resistant material, such as polyester resin and iron fiber.
The Councilor for Culture and Heritage, Olivia Duque, and the Mayor of Teguise, Oswaldo Betancort, highlighted in their speeches that acts like this are framed in the cultural project Teguise 600 Years of History. At the moment the sculpture was unveiled, the neighbors broke into applause and then the mayor and several councilors present invited them to immortalize the moment with a wide photographic section.
The game of Pelota Mano was practiced especially in the towns of Soo, Tiagua and Teguise, and it was not only done as just another game, but on some occasions solidarity championships were organized to raise funds and thus be able to help the most needy neighbors as much as possible. This sport that was about to become extinct has resurfaced again, creating several teams that have formed a league in order to continue practicing and not be forgotten. The sculpture is installed in the square next to the church.
