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

Cooking on the hearth. Apellániz (A), 1981. Source: López de Guereñu, Gerardo. “Apellániz. Pasado y presente de un pueblo alavés” in Ohitura 0, Vitoria-Gasteiz: Chartered Government of Álava, 1981.

House and Family in the Basque Country

House and Family in the Basque Country

The kitchen in the farmsteads was where people would usually gather together and was at the heart of family life.

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.

Doctors and nurses. Getxo (B), 1993. Source: Jon Elorriaga, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Children’s Games in the Basque Country

Children’s Games in the Basque Country

Txikia banintzen, handia banintzen, maiatzerako burutu nintzen. Riddle

Children’s Games in the Basque Country

Traditional Medicine in the Basque Country

Traditional Medicine in the Basque Country

Osasun ona eukiteko, oiloekin ohera eta txoriekin jaiki. Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.

Traditional Medicine in the Basque Country

Chapel of the Archangel, Sanctuary of Aralar (N). Feast of St Michael, 1984. Source: Anton Erkoreka, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Under the portico. Orozko (B), 1956. Source: Labayru Fundazioa Photograhic Archive.

Rites from Birth to Marriage in the Basque Country

Rites from Birth to Marriage in the Basque Country

Ogiaren kurruskua mutikoa izan dadin. Eat up your crusts to have a boy.

Rites from Birth to Marriage in the Basque Country

Funeral Rites in the Basque Country

Funeral Rites in the Basque Country

Tolling the bell was a very effective way of announcing the death in rural settlements.

Funeral Rites in the Basque Country

Death knell. Beasain (G). Source: José Zufiaurre, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

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

Linoaren atsekabeak, amaigabeak. Producing fine linen is hard work.

Agriculture in the Basque Country

Implements for linen making. Zeanuri (B), 1931. Source: Labayru Fundazioa Photograhic Archive: Felipe Manterola Collection.