Responses to Loneliness among Canary Women during the 17th and 18th Centuries

Abstract

Due to its location between three continents (Africa, America, and Europe), the Canary Islands became a crucial stopover since the late 15th century for ships heading towards the American continent. The formation of a new society on the islands was heavily influenced by the constant influx of people from various regions of the Iberian Peninsula and Europe. In this context, the dynamics between women and men were shaped by the frequent departures of the latter, seizing any opportunity to sail away in search of better fortunes, leaving women often waiting on the islands for an uncertain return and future. Through this study, our aim is to explore the daily lives of island women who, during the Old Regime, grappled with and responded to loneliness. Drawing on testimonies and the coping mechanisms employed by these women, three types of responses to loneliness have been identified: (1) legal strategies; (2) economic or material adaptations; and (3) magical-religious practices. It is these three types of responses that will be addressed in this article.