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.

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

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.

Ring-a-ring o’ roses. Larraul (G). Source: Antxon Aguirre, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Children’s Games in the Basque Country

Korruka Al corro de las patatas, naranjas y limones, como comen los señores, alupé, alupé, sentadito me quedé.

Children’s Games in the Basque Country

Traditional Medicine in the Basque Country

There is a hidden wisdom behind popular medicine that goes far beyond the remedy itself. This collection of data helps us catch a glimpse of a way to understand health and disease —and ultimately the human body— that differs from the prevailing view.

Traditional Medicine in the Basque Country

Collecting thyme on Good Friday. Salinillas de Buradón (A), 1998. Source: Isidro Sáenz de Urturi, Etniker Euskalerria Groups.

Bilbao, 1995. Source: Asier Astigarraga’s private archive.

Rites from Birth to Marriage in the Basque Country

Charms, kutunak, were attached to children’s clothes and were said to protect them from the evil eye.

Rites from Birth to Marriage in the Basque Country

Funeral Rites in the Basque Country

Light offerings would light up the way for the soul of the deceased. And bread would sustain it.

Funeral Rites in the Basque Country

Light offerings. Amezketa (G). Source: Garmendia Larrañaga, Juan. Neguko Festak. Donostia, 1993, J. Juanes Photographic Archive.

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

Livestock Farming and Shepherding in the Basque Country

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

Livestock Farming and Shepherding in the Basque Country

Agriculture in the Basque Country

Elur asko den urtean, garia; eta erle asko dugunean, eztia. A year of snow, a year of plenty.

Agriculture in the Basque Country

Neighbours on the threshing plots. Alegría-Dulantzi (A), c. 1940. Source: Municipal Archive of Vitoria-Gasteiz: Enrique Guinea Collection.