Animal hides have had multiple uses throughout history. The early Canary Islanders used them to make a range of items, and even the clothes they wore. Although the use of animal skins for clothing declined after the conquest of the island, hides were useful to meet the needs of the new population. The settlers introduced hides of larger livestock, such as cows and horses, using more varied craft techniques and producing a greater range of items, including footwear, horse tack, liquid containers, musical instruments, and utensils for agriculture and livestock farming.
Many animal herders, probably following early traditions, cured goat skins to make implements and containers associated with their work, including various types of primitive rucksacks, collars for dogs, goats and sheep, and watch pouches. These items were made by tanners of goat leather (zurroneros), whose testimony survives today in rural areas of the Canary Islands. Bags made from whole goat hides (zurrones), one of the most distinctive elements of Canary Islands rural culture, were used to knead gofio (ground, roasted grains). When these bags were large enough, herders used them as rucksacks to carry their belongings in when they were pasturing their livestock.