Image: Sergio Betancort
As in any southern dawn or dusk, when the lines of camels can be seen going to and from the Vallito de Uga to Timanfaya and vice versa, the owners and caretakers took their animals to the street, more than twenty specimens, to thank the patron saint of Uga that in difficult times they can maintain camel rides to tourists. This economic activity sustains many families in the town.
In the recent past, there is no memory of so many animals being present at a Uga pilgrimage as in this Saturday's pilgrimage. Camel drivers, neighbors and visitors walked from the upper part of the town to the church to bring their offerings to San Isidro Labrador. Children, young people and adults, dressed in typical costumes, completed the route encouraged by the parrandas El Requinto, Los Encontrados, Los Labradores de Lanzarote and the Rubicón Folk Group, which as usual, participated with its body of music and dance. Also present were parranderos who improvised groups to play music to be faithful to the tradition and councilors of the municipal government.
Elderly people from Yaiza, accompanied and cared for by City Council staff, participated in the pilgrimage with a float, where those with health problems traveled comfortably. The enthusiasm of this group is contagious and worthy of imitation. The public gathered around the church gave them a resounding applause upon their arrival.
And while the camels of Sindo Morales, Pedro Viñoly, Alberto Mesa and Pedro Acuña, were the center of attraction of the pilgrimage, especially for tourists who did not stop photographing the romeras and romeros sitting in the chairs of the animals, there were also two donkeys and 'Pepe', a white pony that "only comes out during the holidays", according to its owner. For names there are anecdotes. Blas Morin proudly walked his beloved 'Belén Esteban', a "leader" camel to whom he is especially fond of.
The pilgrims of Uga demonstrated that joy does not clash with respect. Thus, between songs, dances, laughter and the sharing of food and wine, in a healthy and festive atmosphere, they approached in order to the church to leave their offerings in front of the decorated image of San Isidro Labrador. The camel drivers brought fruits from the field, as did elders and families from various parts of the municipality of Yaiza and the walkers who were able to leave a solidarity sample that will be destined to people who are living a critical situation. The offerings also came in the form of folías and other manifestations of Canarian folklore. The parrandas and folk groups performed on the facade of the church before the attentive follow-up of the public crowded in the place that responded with resounding applause. Before retiring to the town's tent for the election of magas, the elders shared homemade delicacies with the people gathered around the temple.
Magas 2013 and night of folklore and verbena
Although this year it was much less hot than last year, the romeros and romeras took a breath in the chiringuitos to continue the party. Thirteen girls and four adults opted for the title of Maga Infantil and Maga Uga 2013, respectively. The jury composed of Yolanda Ceballos, Fabiola Vera and César Rijo decided to choose Gabriela Rodríguez Medina as Maga Infantil and Almudena Medina Fernández as Maga Uga 2013.
The chosen ones were accompanied by Yaiza Santana Sicilia, first lady of honor, and Yu Alba Tabares Jaén, second lady of honor, in the case of the girls, and by Pili Ascensión Ramón, first lady of honor, and Lorenza González, second lady of honor, in the election of adults. The mayoress, Gladys Acuña, councilors of Yaiza, and members of the jury imposed the band and delivered bouquets of flowers to the chosen ones. Before the decision was known, the parranda El Requinto performed.
On the second day of festivities in Uga there were still two cartridges left. As soon as the Magas 2013 contest concluded, the parranda El Golpito took the stage and then the Raíces group, to maintain the atmosphere to the rhythm of Canarian music and songs with Caribbean flavor, in the Night of Dance and Parrandas. The public was joining the fairgrounds to conclude the busy Saturday having fun, even more, in the verbena under the chords of El Combo Dominicano de Gran Canaria and Banda Nueva de Lanzarote.