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

Ogi erre berri, etxe galgarri. Soft bread at home, an unruly household.

Family Diet in the Basque Country

Bread baking. Ariztimuño Farmhouse. Oñati (G), 1955. Source: Antxon Aguirre, 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

Zantiratu, zan urrutu, zana bere lekuan sartu.Spell against sprains

Traditional Medicine in the Basque Country

Local healer in Zeanuri (B), 1921. Source: Labayru Fundazioa Photograhic Archive: Felipe Manterola Collection.

Bilbao, 1995. Source: Asier Astigarraga’s private archive.

Rites from Birth to Marriage in the Basque Country

Rites from Birth to Marriage in the Basque Country

Charms, kutunak, were attached to children’s clothes and were said to protect them from the evil eye.

Rites from Birth to Marriage in the Basque Country

Funeral Rites in the Basque Country

Funeral Rites in the Basque Country

A small group of neighbours would watch over the corpse in turns during the night and make sure that the light burning next to it did not go out.

Funeral Rites in the Basque Country

Shroud in a suit. Amezketa (G), 1959. Source: Antxon Aguirre, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Modern stable for sheep. Izurtza (B), 2000. Source: Labayru Fundazioa Photograhic Archive: José Ignacio García Muñoz.

Livestock Farming and Shepherding in the Basque Country

Livestock Farming and Shepherding in the Basque Country

The transformations that have taken place in the last few decades have fundamentally changed the world of livestock farming: no longer a way of life, it is now an economic activity.

Livestock Farming and Shepherding in the Basque Country

Agriculture in the Basque Country

Agriculture in the Basque Country

Maiatz luzea, gosea; garagarrilak ekarriko du asea. A very wet May, much straw and little grain.

Agriculture in the Basque Country

Wheat being threshed and sacked. Navarre, c. 1960. Source: Archive of the Museum of Navarre: Nicolás Ardanaz Collection.