Ethnographic Atlas of the Basque Country

The Ethnographic Atlas of the Basque Country is an ethnographic research project intended to provide an overview of popular culture and lifestyles of the Basques throughout the 20th century up to the present day.

Exhibition of the bridal trousseau. Bidegoian (G), 1957. Source: Ana Larrarte, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Four generations of the same family. Ajangiz (B), 1977. Source: Segundo Oar-Arteta, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

House and Family in the Basque Country

The family was the cornerstone of the farmstead, and the farmsteads along with the families provided coherence and structure to the neighbourhood and society.

House and Family in the Basque Country

Family Diet in the Basque Country

Goseak dagonarentzat, ogi gogorrik ez. The famished make a feast out of bread crumbs.

Family Diet in the Basque Country

Snack break, beginning of the 20th century. Source: Archive of the Chartered Government of Gipuzkoa: Indalecio Ojanguren Collection.

Doctors and nurses. Getxo (B), 1993. Source: Jon Elorriaga, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Children’s Games in the Basque Country

Txikia banintzen, handia banintzen, maiatzerako burutu nintzen. Riddle

Children’s Games in the Basque Country

Traditional Medicine in the Basque Country

Verrugas tengo, verrugas vendo, aquí las dejo y me voy corriendo.Formula against warts

Traditional Medicine in the Basque Country

Green figs. Source: Akaitze Kamiruaga, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Under the portico. Orozko (B), 1956. Source: Labayru Fundazioa Photograhic Archive.

Rites from Birth to Marriage in the Basque Country

Ogiaren kurruskua mutikoa izan dadin. Eat up your crusts to have a boy.

Rites from Birth to Marriage in the Basque Country

Funeral Rites in the Basque Country

The members of the funeral cortege, relatives of the deceased and neighbours alike, would usually carry offerings of bread and light.

Funeral Rites in the Basque Country

Offering bearers. Otsagabia (N), c. 1920. Source: Fco. Javier Zubiaur and M.ª Amor Beguiristain’s private archive: Roldán and Calle Photographic Studios.

Dolmen of Gaxteenia. Mendibe (NB), 1980. Source: Blot, Jacques. Artzainak. Les bergers basques. Los pastores vascos. Donostia: Elkar, 1984.

Livestock Farming and Shepherding in the Basque Country

“The axial zone of the Basque Pyrenees retains underneath a maze of folds traits of a time-honoured culture.” J. M. Barandiaran

Livestock Farming and Shepherding in the Basque Country

Agriculture in the Basque Country

San Jurgi, artoak ereiteko goizegi; San Markos, artoak ereinda balegoz. St George’s Day is too early to sow maize and St Mark’s Day is too late.

Agriculture in the Basque Country

Maize field. Carranza (B), 2016. Source: Luis Manuel Peña, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.