Folk ensemble
Founded in Sardina del Sur in October 1995, Bejeque combines popular music, historical research and original creation to tell the story of south-eastern Gran Canaria’s memory and cultural identity.
Bejeque was founded in October 1995 in Sardina del Sur, in the municipality of Santa Lucía de Tirajana. From the outset it defined itself as an autonomous cultural movement devoted to strengthening Canarian identity through popular music and the recovery of traditions. It took its name from a plant endemic to La Gomera that is known elsewhere in the islands by names such as verol, hierba puntera and orejitas de burro.
Bejeque’s distinctive contribution lies in turning local research into songs and performances. Works such as Agrio sustento bring together episodes including the Motín de Agüimes, La Mina and La Sociedad de Pastos, while other compositions address trades, speech, emigration, food and popular beliefs. The group thus acts as a musical chronicler of events and memories from south-eastern Gran Canaria.
Its repertory combines original compositions with songs from the Canarian and Latin American traditions. The original pieces begin with nearby places and experiences—Pozo Izquierdo’s saltworks, Sardina del Sur, shepherding and the old wells—and use popular musical forms to tell their stories. In concert, this material appears alongside familiar songs intended to encourage direct audience participation.
Bejeque organises an anniversary festival at the Víctor Jara Theatre in Vecindario that has hosted ensembles, soloists and storytellers from several islands. Its transmission work extends to four recordings, festival and television appearances, and productions incorporating oral storytelling. In 2009, Tiempo de la palabra brought the group together with Los Labrantes de la Palabra, Pepa Aurora and Antonio López.
Bejeque is established as an autonomous cultural movement devoted to Canarian identity.
It premieres a musical theatre work about radio dedications, processions and social dances.
It combines music, memories and oral storytelling with Pepa Aurora, Los Labrantes de la Palabra and Antonio López.
It presents its fourth recording, a twelve-song album, at the Víctor Jara Theatre.
