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

Goseak dagonarentzat, ogi gogorrik ez. The famished make a feast out of bread crumbs.

Family Diet in the Basque Country

Snack break, beginning of the 20th century. Source: Archive of the Chartered Government of Gipuzkoa: Indalecio Ojanguren Collection.

Children from Beasain in Egozkuen (N), 1967. Source: José Zufiaurre, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Children’s Games in the Basque Country

Children’s Games in the Basque Country

Txori-ikasten They played looking for birds’ nests and thus learnt about their habits, their songs, the way the nests were built…

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.

Nuclear family. Artea (B), c. 1930. Source: Labayru Fundazioa Photograhic Archive: Felipe Manterola Collection.

Rites from Birth to Marriage in the Basque Country

Rites from Birth to Marriage in the Basque Country

Any bachelor, or spinster, traditionally continued to be linked to the homestead and to be an integral part of the family.

Rites from Birth to Marriage in the Basque Country

Funeral Rites in the Basque Country

Funeral Rites in the Basque Country

Cuando el cárabo canta, la muerte levanta. When the tawny owl hoots, death wakes up.

Funeral Rites in the Basque Country

Santa-Grazi (Z). Source: Boissel, W. Le Pays Basque. Sites, Arts et Coutumes. Paris, A. Calavas edit.

Cattle on common pastures. Carranza (B), 2007. Source: Luis Manuel Peña, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Livestock Farming and Shepherding in the Basque Country

Livestock Farming and Shepherding in the Basque Country

Communities in areas where livestock has been the fundamental basis of their way of life consider Saint Anthony Abbot as the main protector of the health and fertility of the animals.

Livestock Farming and Shepherding in the Basque Country

Agriculture in the Basque Country

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.