Guanche

The Guanche were the indigenous peoples of the Canary Islands, speaking languages related to the Berber languages of North Africa.

In 1341 a Portuguese-sponsored expedition surveyed the islands and carried four islanders to Lisbon. Castile began conquering the islands in 1402. When the conquerors reached Tenerife, it was divided among nine kingdoms; Taoro, ruled by Bencomo, was among the strongest. The conquest ended in 1496. Many islanders died during the conquest, and survivors were assimilated into the new population.