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Local authorities in Arantzazu. Arratia, 1919. Photo credit: Indalecio Ojanguren.
The 29th of September is an important date on the Basque calendar, as it is the feast day of St. Michael, our patron saint, and the best known and beloved of the archangels in heaven.
However, the date was also known for practical reasons, as it marked the end of the farming year in popular culture. In other words and going even further back in time, it is the Christianised festivity of the equinox when summer ended and winter began.
In many places, that day was the start of the period that leaf litter or fern could be gathered from the common uplands, the livestock were taken to the winter pastures, the start of the work to get the forges or cold chambers ready, and the renewal of leases of mills, taverns or dwellings. And, among other interesting facts, that of renewing the posts of the elected officials of the village.
St Christopher’s Day in Busturia (Bizkaia), 2019. Labayru Fundazioa Photographic Archive.
Saint Christopher is the patron saint of truckers and drivers in general, and his feast day is celebrated on 10 July. But what is the connection between them and the saint?
There is a very well-known legend, which Gurutzi Arregi was told by Balbina Arrese, whom she interviewed in Busturia, and which she recorded in her book entitled Ermitas de Bizkaia [Hermitages of Bizkaia]; other people from the same locality told us the same legend more recently in 2022. The legend is also widely shared around the world:
The legend goes that saint Christopher was a giant who spent his time helping people cross rivers, back in the time when there were no bridges. Once a small, but very heavy child wanted to cross the river. Christopher told him: “Not even the whole world is heavier than you”. To which the child responded: “You are not only carrying the world, but its creator. I am Jesus Christ, whom you are serving through your work”.
On the feast of St Isidore. Lezama (Bizkaia), 1944.
On 15 May we celebrate the feast of St Isidore, or Isidore the Farmer, widely venerated as patron saint of farmers. As it happens, farm folks have customarily interceded with him to ask for protection of their crops.
More than a handful of towns and villages in Bizkaia (Derio, Getxo, Zeanuri, Murueta…) hold their patron saint festivities around this time. In Getxo and Zeanuri, for instance, livestock fairs and competitions, as well as oxen tests, have a centuries-long tradition and continue to attract large crowds.
Galdakao (Bizkaia), 1960s. MAXAM Foundation.
The festivity of St Barbara of Nicomedia is celebrated on 4 December. Because of her legendary association with lightning, Barbara is perhaps best known as the patron saint of armourers and dynamiters, miners and quarry workers, electricians, and artillerists. The Catholic Church named her protector against storms, hail and lightning.
It was once a widespread practice to light a candle blessed at Candlemas, on 2 February, while offering an invocation prayer for protection over the house. In Gernika, for instance, this or slight variants of it was said: Santa Bárbara bendita / que en el cielo estás escrita / con papel y agua bendita / en la hora de la cruz / santa muerte amén Jesús. (Blessed Saint Barbara / written in heaven / with paper and holy water / at the hour of the cross / holy death amen Jesus). (more…)
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