Ajuy

Although no definite records exist it is believed that the first population of the islands were Cro-Magnons from North-west Africa who arrived on the islands towards the end of the Neolithic age. Then followed successive immigrations from the African Berber tribes of early Mediterranean type who formed the aboriginal population, known generally as GUANCHES, although the inhabitants of Fuerteventura were known as MAJOS. It is not known how these people arrived on the islands, as the European conquerors recorded that the Guanches had no navigational skills and scant knowledge of the sea, and as such had little knowledge amongst themselves from island to island. In the pre-hispanic era the island of Fuerteventura was divided into two separate kingdoms, the north of the island was known as Maxorata; the south known as Jandia, with a dividing wall at the isthmus of La Pared. At the time of the conquest the respective Majo kings were Guize of Maxorata and Ayoze of Jandia. The people lived in the style of the Stone Age Man, although with some advances such as a well-structured society - there is evidence to show clear class differences. The Majos had trapping devices, knew of some metals, had a religion, and mummified their dead. The people lived mainly from livestock although in Fuerteventura the Majos knew how to swim and collect shell-fish.