Mencey

Mencey is a term of Guanche origin, referring to the king or ruler of one of the menceyatos, which were the ancient aboriginal kingdoms of the island of Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands. Following the division of the island into distinct territories, each territory was governed by a mencey. The pre-Hispanic society of Tenerife was organized into these nine menceyatos, each with its own political structure and territorial boundaries.

The mencey held significant authority within their respective kingdoms, acting as the supreme leader responsible for laws, defense, and the overall well-being of their people. The selection of a mencey could be hereditary or through other forms of succession, depending on the customs of each menceyato. The menceyatos were often in a state of political tension or conflict with one another, though alliances and periods of peace also occurred.

During the Castilian conquest of the Canary Islands in the late 15th century, the menceyatos played a crucial role in the resistance against the invading forces. The island was divided into two main factions during the conquest: the menceyatos of the "peace" (bandos de paces), who generally allied with the Castilians, and the menceyatos of the "war" (bandos de guerra), who fiercely resisted the conquest. The fall of the menceyato of Taoro, the last to resist, marked the end of Guanche sovereignty and the integration of Tenerife into the Crown of Castile. The term "mencey" thus represents a key element in understanding the political organization and historical resistance of the indigenous people of Tenerife.