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

Hearth. Zeanuri (B), 1980. Source: Ander Manterola, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

House and Family in the Basque Country

House and Family in the Basque Country

Su bako etxea, gorputz odol bagea. A house without fire is like a body without blood.

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.

Drawing of lots. Zeanuri (B), 1993. Source: Ander Manterola, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Children’s Games in the Basque Country

Children’s Games in the Basque Country

Txirristi-mirristi, gerrena, plat, olio-zopa, kikili-salda, urrup edan edo klik, ikimilikiliklik. Drawing lots chant

Children’s Games in the Basque Country

Traditional Medicine 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.

Passacaglia. Sangüesa (N), c. 1960. Source: Juan Cruz Labeaga, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Rites from Birth to Marriage in the Basque Country

Rites from Birth to Marriage in the Basque Country

Gazteak, badakizue zelan dantzan egin: burua gora-gora ta kaderai eragin. Folk verse

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.

Climb to the mountain. Aia (G), 1998. Source: Antxon Aguirre, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Livestock Farming and Shepherding in the Basque Country

Livestock Farming and Shepherding in the Basque Country

At the end of the Middle Ages, flocks in the Basque valleys converged on the same mountains that are now the main summer grassland used for grazing.

Livestock Farming and Shepherding in the Basque Country

Agriculture in the Basque Country

Agriculture in the Basque Country

Selecting seeds has always been a fundamental activity. The best seeds were chosen from each harvest, and they were then stored and used for the next sowing season.

Agriculture in the Basque Country

Seed threshing. Zerain (G), 1961. Source: Karmele Goñi, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.