Murgas

Tenerife carnival groups

The murga groups are some of the most popular groups at Tenerife's Carnival. Under a satirical banner, some 40 people come together to sing critical songs, backed by "whistling" instruments and percussion. The first murga group at Tenerife's Carnival was first formed after the gunboat named Laya left the port of Santa Cruz in the early 20th century. The crew members, who originally came from Cádiz, created the first street band or "murga" to perform in Tenerife.