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

Nahiz dala udea, nahiz dala negua, goizeko zortziretan, armozu ordua. Folk song

Family Diet in the Basque Country

Meal on board. Source: Aguirre Archive.

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

Children’s Games in the Basque Country

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

Traditional Medicine in the Basque Country

Osasuna galtzen duenak dena galtzen du. If you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything.

Traditional Medicine in the Basque Country

Snow pit in Astikurutz, Otxandio (B). Source: Labayru Fundazioa Photograhic Archive: José Ignacio García Muñoz.

Baptism celebration. Zerain (G), 1970. Source: Karmele Goñi, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Rites from Birth to Marriage in the Basque Country

Rites from Birth to Marriage in the Basque Country

Haurraren jaiotza, etxerako poza. A house without children is a flowerpot without flowers.

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.

Traditional sheep shearing. Carranza (B), 1998. Source: Miguel Sabino Díaz, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Livestock Farming and Shepherding in the Basque Country

Livestock Farming and Shepherding in the Basque Country

Grullas p’arriba, pastor buena vida, Grullas p’abajo, pastor más trabajo.When cranes fly north, life is easier for shepherds, when they fly south, work is harder for shepherds.

Livestock Farming and Shepherding in the Basque Country

Agriculture in the Basque Country

Agriculture in the Basque Country

Both animal and human power had a decisive impact on the way of working and on the crops until the introduction of modern machinery.

Agriculture in the Basque Country

Haulage of wheat sheaves. Álava, c. 1940. Source: Municipal Archive of Vitoria-Gasteiz: Enrique Guinea Collection.