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.

Mutual cooperation. Zeanuri (B), c. 1915. Source: Labayru Fundazioa Photograhic Archive: Felipe Manterola Collection.

House and Family in the Basque Country

The rural farmstead was an institution made up of the building, its land, its dwellings and by tradition, in other words, by that web of relations that closely links the current generation with past ones.

House and Family in the Basque Country

Family Diet in the Basque Country

Beans and broad beans were the most widely grown legumes and were traditionally an important part of the diet.

Family Diet in the Basque Country

Broad bean podding. Source: Akaitze Kamiruaga, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Playing with spinning tops. Getxo (B), 1993. Source: Jon Elorriaga, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Children’s Games in the Basque Country

Changes in the adult world are also necessarily reflected in the children’s world. It should not be forgotten that those changes also affect the world of beliefs, convictions and rites underlying many traditional games; many of which would be stripped of meaning, some would fall into disuse, others would persist and would adapt to the new circumstances.

Children’s Games in the Basque Country

Traditional Medicine in the Basque Country

The widespread belief was that Christmas Eve’s bread, ogi salutadorea, would not go mouldy and would prevent rabies in dogs and other domestic animals.

Traditional Medicine in the Basque Country

Christmas bread. Source: Akaitze Kamiruaga, 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

Death was an event that usually occurred in the neighbourhood, a fact that meant the home of the deceased played a leading role.

Funeral Rites in the Basque Country

Coffin bearers. Amezketa (G). Source: Antxon Aguirre, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Black sheep in the flock. Meaga, Getaria (G). Source: Antxon Aguirre, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Livestock Farming and Shepherding in the Basque Country

A black animal, and particularly a billy goat, was considered to protect the herd, flock or barn throughout the area surveyed.

Livestock Farming and Shepherding in the Basque Country

Agriculture in the Basque Country

Spades, ploughs, rakes, sickles, scythes and threshers were the essential tools for agricultural work.

Agriculture in the Basque Country

Spading. Zeanuri (B), 1920. Source: Labayru Fundazioa Photograhic Archive: Felipe Manterola Collection.