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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.

Grandmother and grandchildren. Urduliz (B), 2011. Source: Akaitze Kamiruaga, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

House and Family in the Basque Country

The traditional Basque family is noted for a type of clearly defined feminism, which can be seen from the application of the right of the first-born to inherit regardless of their sex, the common ownership of property brought to the marriage by the spouses, their equal standing in civil law, and the woman’s status as the head of the household in the domestic religious life, the cultural rites of the home, of the church and of the family burial ground.

House and Family in the Basque Country

Family Diet in the Basque Country

Odolosteak ordeaz. Neighbours and relatives are given black puddings and other pork cuts as a gift at pig slaughter time. It is an act of courtesy, an expression of the close bond shared with them, and part of an established exchange ritual.

Family Diet in the Basque Country

Pig bleeding. Source: José Zufiaurre, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Ring-a-ring o’ roses. Larraul (G). Source: Antxon Aguirre, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Children’s Games in the Basque Country

Korruka Al corro de las patatas, naranjas y limones, como comen los señores, alupé, alupé, sentadito me quedé.

Children’s Games in the Basque Country

Traditional Medicine in the Basque Country

Eros ogi eta gazta, erremediotan ez gasta. Better to spend money on good food than on medicine.

Traditional Medicine in the Basque Country

Chamomile. Source: Luis Manuel Peña, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

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

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

Ritos funerarios en Vasconia

Existían caminos específicos por los que se llevaba el cuerpo del difunto desde la casa mortuoria hasta la iglesia y el cementerio.

Ritos Funerarios en Vasconia

Cortejo fúnebre, c. 1925. Fuente: Antxon Aguirre, Grupos Etniker Euskalerria.

Pastor y espaldero. Cañada de los Roncaleses (N), 1996. Fuente: Iñaki San Miguel, Grupos Etniker Euskalerria.

Ganaderia y pastoreo en Vasconia

La introducción de perros pastores supuso el desplazamiento de los zagales, niños de corta edad encargados hasta entonces de la conducción y guía del rebaño.

Ganaderia y pastoreo en Vasconia

Agricultura en Vasconia

Elur asko den urtean, garia; eta erle asko dugunean, eztia. Año de nieves, año de bienes.

Agricultura en Vasconia

Vecinos trabajando en las eras. Alegría-Dulantzi (A), c. 1940. Fuente: Archivo Municipal de Vitoria-Gasteiz: Enrique Guinea.