Main Page/en

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.

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

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

Food was grown on the family small holding or bought from local markets, which, in turn, were supplied with food grown locally. A few products, nearly always non-staples, complemented local or household self-supply.

Family Diet in the Basque Country

Ribera Market. Bilbao, beginning of the 20th century. Source: Labayru Fundazioa Photograhic Archive.

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

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

Osasuna, munduko ondasuna. The first wealth is health.

Traditional Medicine in the Basque Country

Vaccination agains poliomyelitis, 1964. Source: Municipal Archive of Vitoria-Gasteiz: Arqué Collection.

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

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

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.

Shepherd wearing a cape. Eriete (N), 1959. Source: Archive of the Museum of Navarre: Nicolás Ardanaz Collection.

Ganaderia y pastoreo en Vasconia

Nolako artzaina, halako artaldea. Every animal ends up looking like their master.

Ganaderia y pastoreo en Vasconia

Agriculture in the Basque Country

Satsitu ta jorratu ta garia hartu. Spreading manure and weeding and harvesting wheat.

Agriculture in the Basque Country

Wheat harvest. Gesaltza (G), c. 1950. Source: Municipal Archive of Vitoria-Gasteiz: Enrique Guinea Collection.