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.

Zurututza Farmhouse. Zeanuri (B), c. 1925. Source: Labayru Fundazioa Photograhic Archive: Felipe Manterola Collection.

Trousseau escorted by wedding entourage on their way to Izagirre Farmhouse. Bidegoian (G), 1957. Source: Martín Photographic Studio.

Funeral procession entering church. Zerain (G), 1965. Source: Karmele Goñi, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Pumpkins for the livestock. Lezama (B), 1990. Source: Labayru Fundazioa Photograhic Archive: José Ignacio García Muñoz.

• House and Family
• Diet
• Children’s Games
• Medicine
• Birth
• Funeral Rites
• Livestock Farming
• Agriculture

St John’s bunches of branches and flowers. Zeanuri (B), 1980. Source: Ander Manterola, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

House and Family in the Basque Country

House and Family in the Basque Country

Different types of rites, such as attaching the St. John’s branch, San Juan haretxa, to the doorposts, were performed around the St. John’s Day festivities.

House and Family in the Basque Country

Family Diet in the Basque Country

Family Diet in the Basque Country

Gabon, bon-bon; Natibitate, ase eta bete; San Estebantxe, lehen letxe. Eat heartily on Christmas Eve; until you feel full at Christmas; and back to normal on St Stephen’s Day.

Family Diet in the Basque Country

Market on St Thomas’ Day. Bilbao, 1950. Source: Sancho el Sabio Foundation.

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

Children’s Games in the Basque Country

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

Traditional Medicine in the Basque Country

Eros ogi eta gazta, erremediotan ez gasta. Better to spend money on good food than on medicine.

Traditional Medicine in the Basque Country

Chamomile. Source: Luis Manuel Peña, 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

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

Funeral Rites in the Basque Country

Sorrow was expressed by wearing mourning.

Funeral Rites in the Basque Country

Mourners. Sara (L). Source: Veyrin, Philippe. Pays Basques de France et d’Espagne. Paris-Grenoble, 1951.

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

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

Agriculture in the Basque Country

Tente nublo, tente en ti,no te caigas sobre mí,guarda el pan, guarda el vino,guarda los campos que están floridos.Spell against hail

Agriculture in the Basque Country

Vineyard in Obanos (N), 2011. Source: M.ª Amor Beguiristain, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.