The Silbo Gomero, an ancestral whistling language

09-05-2018


The Silbo Gomero, an ancestral whistling language
Author: Pawel Ryszawa

Getting to know the history and local customs is part of the incredible travel experience. In the Canary Islands, as in many other parts of the world, there are traditions that survive over time and still remain valid today. This is the case of the whistling language of La Gomera, a unique feature of the island that surprises everyone who visits it. Would you like to find out more? At Payless, your cheap rent a car in La Gomera, we can tell you all the details about this unique language.

To understand the origin of the whistling language of La Gomera, we have to go back to the pre-Hispanic era. The ancient aborigines who inhabited the island had serious difficulties in communicating since the steep and rugged terrain made it impossible to engage in a conversation through more traditional methods. As a result of this need, they developed a sound language that reproduced the characteristics of the spoken language. The whistle, powerful and full of strength, travelled through the cliffs and ravines until it reached the ears of the recipient, who did not hesitate to answer using the same technique.

Today, the schools of La Gomera teach children to speak this language, thus preserving a form of communication that has been catalogued by Unesco as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, given its peculiarity. Learning it is a slow process and requires perseverance, as happens with any other language.

If you are holidaying on the island and want to find out a little more about the whistling language, there are several restaurants and establishments where, as well as sampling the traditional Canarian cuisine, you can also see a live demonstration. With your budget hire car in La Gomera, you could go to one of the urban centres, such as San Sebastián de La Gomera, and inquire at the Tourist Information Office for the various options at your fingertips.

This visit will allow you to make the most of your travels around the island. Remember that at Payless, your company for cheap rental vehicles in La Gomera, we offer you the best conditions so that you can get around easily and discover all the hidden corners that this sensational destination has to offer. Trust in Payless and book now to rent a cheap car in La Gomera with optimal conditions and all the guarantees expected from one of the leading companies in the islands.