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

Predominance of mono-pitched roofs. Artajona (N), 2010. Source: Segundo Oar-Arteta, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

House and Family in the Basque Country

House and Family in the Basque Country

The roof was originally erected prior to the walls, foundations and other constructive elements of the house.

House and Family in the Basque Country

Family Diet in the Basque Country

Family Diet in the Basque Country

Donde no hay ni pan ni pollos, el horno no está para bollos. If there’s no bread or chicken, you shouldn’t bake rolls.

Family Diet in the Basque Country

Scoring after fermentation. Source: Ander Manterola, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Children from Beasain in Egozkuen (N), 1967. Source: José Zufiaurre, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Children’s Games in the Basque Country

Children’s Games in the Basque Country

Txori-ikasten They played looking for birds’ nests and thus learnt about their habits, their songs, the way the nests were built…

Children’s Games in the Basque Country

Traditional Medicine in the Basque Country

Traditional Medicine in the Basque Country

No distinctions between beliefs and empirical cures in the traditional mindset.

Traditional Medicine in the Basque Country

Medals and religious charms. Source: Patxo Fernández de Jauregui, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Nuclear family. Artea (B), c. 1930. 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

Any bachelor, or spinster, traditionally continued to be linked to the homestead and to be an integral part of the family.

Rites from Birth to Marriage in the Basque Country

Funeral Rites in the Basque Country

Funeral Rites in the Basque Country

Light offerings would light up the way for the soul of the deceased. And bread would sustain it.

Funeral Rites in the Basque Country

Light offerings. Amezketa (G). Source: Garmendia Larrañaga, Juan. Neguko Festak. Donostia, 1993, J. Juanes Photographic Archive.

Blessing of the flock before departure. Source: Antxon Aguirre, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Livestock Farming and Shepherding in the Basque Country

Livestock Farming and Shepherding in the Basque Country

Artaldearentzat artzain guti hobe ainitz baino. Too many cooks spoil the broth.

Livestock Farming and Shepherding in the Basque Country

Agriculture 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.