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

Hearth. Zeanuri (B), 1980. Source: Ander Manterola, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

House and Family in the Basque Country

House and Family in the Basque Country

Su bako etxea, gorputz odol bagea. A house without fire is like a body without blood.

House and Family in the Basque Country

Family Diet in the Basque Country

Family Diet in the Basque Country

Beans and broad beans were the most widely grown legumes and were traditionally an important part of the diet.

Family Diet in the Basque Country

Broad bean podding. Source: Akaitze Kamiruaga, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Pin, pin, zarramacatín. Carranza (B), 1993. Source: Luis Manuel Peña, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Children’s Games in the Basque Country

Children’s Games in the Basque Country

Honek arrautza ekarri, honek erreten ipini, honek gatza eman, honek pixka bat probatu, honek dena jan! Game with fingers

Children’s Games in the Basque Country

Traditional Medicine 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.

Urduliz (B), 1984. Source: Akaitze Kamiruaga, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Rites from Birth to Marriage in the Basque Country

Rites from Birth to Marriage in the Basque Country

Haurrak negarrik ez, titirik ez. A baby who does not cry, does not suckle.

Rites from Birth to Marriage in the Basque Country

Funeral Rites in the Basque Country

Funeral Rites in the Basque Country

Death was an event that usually occurred in the neighbourhood, a fact that meant the home of the deceased played a leading role.

Funeral Rites in the Basque Country

Coffin bearers. Amezketa (G). Source: Antxon Aguirre, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Black sheep in the flock. Meaga, Getaria (G). Source: Antxon Aguirre, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Livestock Farming and Shepherding in the Basque Country

Livestock Farming and Shepherding in the Basque Country

A black animal, and particularly a billy goat, was considered to protect the herd, flock or barn throughout the area surveyed.

Livestock Farming and Shepherding in the Basque Country

Agriculture in the Basque Country

Agriculture in the Basque Country

Ezkur urte, laborte urte. Acorns a plenty, a year of prosperity.

Agriculture in the Basque Country

Unloading grain into the trailer. Argandoña (A), 2003. Source: Juan José Galdos, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.