Main Page/en

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.

Old and young husband and wife. Areatza (B), beginning of the 20th century. Source: Rubén de Las Hayas’ private archive.

House and Family in the Basque Country

The aim was to ensure that the family wealth, taken to be the farmstead and its belongings, would be passed on in full or only slightly diminished, and improved if possible, from parents to their offspring.

House and Family in the Basque Country

Family Diet in the Basque Country

Maize, introduced in the 17th century, and potatoes, in the 19th, would revolutionise the Basque diet.

Family Diet in the Basque Country

Bushel of maize grain. Source: Ander Manterola, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Vegetal clothing and accessories. Egozkue (N), 1967. Source: José Zufiaurre, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Children’s Games in the Basque Country

Akerrak adarrak okerrak ditu, adarrak okerrak akerrak ditu, okerrak adarrak akerrak ditu. Tongue-twister

Children’s Games in the Basque Country

Traditional Medicine in the Basque Country

Ez da gaitzik aldiak ez daroanik. Time cures everything.

Traditional Medicine in the Basque Country

Hermitage of St Engratia. Segura (G). Source: Antxon Aguirre, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Dancing during patronal celebrations. Zeanuri (B), 1922. Source: Labayru Fundazioa Photograhic Archive: Felipe Manterola Collection.

Rites from Birth to Marriage in the Basque Country

Young men and women would meet during the Sunday stroll, dances and pilgrimages.

Rites from Birth to Marriage in the Basque Country

Funeral Rites in the Basque Country

Oilarrak gauez kukurruku jotzen badu, laster izango da gorpuren bat etxe hartan. A cockerel crowing at sunset, death is looming.

Funeral Rites in the Basque Country

Funerary stelae. Irulegi (NB). Source: Michel Duvert, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

On the move to the summer pastures in Gorbeia, 2006. Source: Antxon Aguirre, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Ganaderia y pastoreo en Vasconia

Traditional shepherding and free-range livestock husbandry have prevailed on regions where these three requisites are satisfied: communal land, open-access rights, and free movibility for herds.

Ganaderia y pastoreo en Vasconia

Agricultura en Vasconia

Ezkur urte, laborte urte. Acorns a plenty, a year of prosperity.

Agricultura en Vasconia

Unloading grain into the trailer. Argandoña (A), 2003. Source: Juan José Galdos, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.