Haurrak haurlan, goes a popular Basque saying, that is, play is the ‘work’ of childhood. And traditionally most of that play took place out in the open air.
In their playtime children interacted with animals. Ladybirds, for instance, were thought to be able to predict the weather. They would place the precious insect on the forefinger, and while it climbed up, said the following words:
Marigorri, gona gorri,
bihar eguzki ala euri? (more…)