Canary Islands' Ancient Remedy: Banishing 'Bad Air' with Prayer

Canary Islands' Cultural Cure: Battling 'Mal Aire' with Prayer In the Canary Islands, a unique cultural belief surrounds the concept of "mal aire," or bad air. This negative energy is believed to cause various ailments, from unexplained sadness to physical discomfort. Pequeñas Historias de Canarias, a social media account dedicated to sharing bits of Canarian history, recently shed light on this tradition in a short video. The video, which has garnered significant views and shares, showcases the traditional method of counteracting mal aire: a short prayer, or 'rezado', often accompanied by the passing of a branch of a tree over the afflicted person. "In our islands, this has always been cured with prayers, branches, and wise hands," explains the video's narration, highlighting the long-standing nature of this practice. The video then displays the prayer in Spanish, offering a glimpse into the spiritual remedies of the Canary Islands' rich cultural heritage. The video's success underscores a growing interest in exploring and understanding traditional healing methods and cultural practices. The video's simple yet effective presentation of the prayer and its accompanying visuals makes it easily understandable, even for those unfamiliar with the Canarian culture. It is a testament to the power of cultural traditions in providing comfort and solace.