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

The kitchen, heart of the home. Andoain (G), c. 1920. Source: Aguirre Archive.

House and Family in the Basque Country

House and Family in the Basque Country

Gure etxean sua batzen, gure etxean aingeruak sartzen. Angels dance happily in a clean house.

House and Family in the Basque Country

Family Diet in the Basque Country

Family Diet in the Basque Country

Family Diet in the Basque Country

Round of the roll on St Christopher’s Day. Oquina (A), 1986. Source: Gerardo López de Guereñu Iholdi, Etniker Euskalerria Groups. Bread and wine hold body and soul together.

Watching over the child. Source: Novedades. Donostia, 1914.

Children’s Games in the Basque Country

Children’s Games in the Basque Country

Obabatxua lo ta lo, zuk orain eta nik gero; zeuk gura dozun orduren baten, biok egingo dogu lo ta lo. Lullaby

Children’s Games in the Basque Country

Traditional Medicine in the Basque Country

Traditional Medicine in the Basque Country

Nolako gaitza, halako erremedioa. There’s a cure for everything.

Traditional Medicine in the Basque Country

Sarnapotzu, Magdalene of Arantzadi’s Hermitage. Berriatua (B), 1983. Source: Ander Manterola, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Offering to the departed. Donostia, 1958. Source: Segundo Oar-Arteta, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Rites from Birth to Marriage in the Basque Country

Rites from Birth to Marriage in the Basque Country

Ezkonberri, etxe berri. A married person wants a house.

Rites from Birth to Marriage in the Basque Country

Funeral Rites 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.

Goats wearing bells. Anboto (B), 1999. 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

Cowbells, in the same way as chimes, have been attributed with the power to protect the livestock from spells. Their use to protect against the evil eye, begizkoa, was very widespread in the past.

Livestock Farming and Shepherding in the Basque Country

Agriculture in the Basque Country

Agriculture in the Basque Country

Tente nublo, tente en ti,no te caigas sobre mí,guarda el pan, guarda el vino,guarda los campos que están floridos.Spell against hail

Agriculture in the Basque Country

Vineyard in Obanos (N), 2011. Source: M.ª Amor Beguiristain, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.