Cambullón

Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Category: Memory · Subcategory: Historic sites · Year: Siglo XIX

We could define the word "cambullón" as the commercial activity consisting of exchanging or selling various products and goods coming from ships docked or anchored in the ports, without this activity being controlled, although sometimes it was authorised by the relevant authorities. In some cases it even bordered on illegality, occasionally becoming genuine smuggling.

Those who engaged in these practices were popularly known as "cambulloneros". Their activity basically consisted of marketing, once on land, the goods and products they could obtain from the holds of the ships anchored in the port.

It is not clear where the word "cambullón" comes from. Some believe it is an anglicism derived from the expression “come-buy-on” (which could be translated as "come and buy on board"); others argue that it is a deformation of the Portuguese word “cambulhão”, which means something like a swap or a shady deal. Be that as it may, the figure of the cambullonero was very popular on the Santa Cruz dock since the 19th century. They acted as true necessary intermediaries between the holds of the ships and the demand of a local market often undersupplied, especially in times of crisis, so frequent in these parts throughout its history.

It seems that the gathering place for these people making a living from this peculiar trade was the port area and its surroundings, specifically the Marquesina, the Farola del Mar, the entrance to the dock and the nearby bars and taverns.

This practice lasted well into the 20th century, but gradually disappeared due to increasing control over access to the port area and the rise of security measures in the commercial sector.

The figure of the cambullonero will always be linked to the history of the port and therefore of the city.

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