Menceyes

Menceyes is a term that can refer to several distinct concepts, primarily associated with the Canary Islands and ancient figures within that region. Most commonly, "Mencey" (plural "Menceyes") refers to the hereditary kings or rulers of the Guanches, the indigenous inhabitants of Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands, prior to the Spanish conquest. Each mencey ruled over a specific kingdom or "menceyato" on the island. The island of Tenerife was divided into several such menceyatos, each with its own ruler, and these divisions played a significant role during the conquest period as different menceyatos allied with or resisted the Castilian forces.

The term "mencey" evokes a sense of historical leadership and territorial sovereignty within the pre-Hispanic Canarian social structure. The existence of these rulers is documented in historical accounts from the time of the conquest and has been a subject of study for historians and archaeologists seeking to understand the social and political organization of the Guanches. The legacy of the menceyes continues to be a point of cultural significance for Tenerife, representing a period of distinct indigenous rule before its integration into the Kingdom of Castile.