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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.

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

There is a hidden wisdom behind popular medicine that goes far beyond the remedy itself. This collection of data helps us catch a glimpse of a way to understand health and disease —and ultimately the human body— that differs from the prevailing view.

Traditional Medicine in the Basque Country

Collecting thyme on Good Friday. Salinillas de Buradón (A), 1998. Source: Isidro Sáenz de Urturi, 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

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

Omens of death included those associated with strange behaviour by some domestic animals, mainly dogs and cockerels.

Funeral Rites in the Basque Country

Caring for the graves on the occasion of All Saints’ Day. Bilbao (B), 1990. Source: Labayru Fundazioa Photograhic Archive: José Ignacio García Muñoz.

Subida al monte. Aia (G), 1998. Fuente: Antxon Aguirre, Grupos Etniker Euskalerria.

Ganaderia y pastoreo en Vasconia

A finales de la Edad Media los rebaños de los valles vascos confluían a las mismas montañas que en nuestros días constituyen los principales puntos de concentración pastoril veraniega.

Ganaderia y pastoreo en Vasconia

Agricultura en Vasconia

Maiatz luzea, gosea; garagarrilak ekarriko du asea. Mayo hortelano, mucha paja y poco grano.

Agricultura en Vasconia

Trilladora y costales de trigo. Navarra, c. 1960. Fuente: Archivo Museo de Navarra: Fondo Nicolás Ardanaz.