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Traditional symbolism of the roof tile

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Posted on 2019-01-18 in
Red roof tiling. Photograph by Xabi Otero taken from Euskaldunak [The Basques], 4

Red roof tiling. Xabi Otero. Euskaldunak [The Basques], 4.

Beyond its practical function, the roof tile (teila) is charged with symbolism in Basque folklore and ethnography, representing primarily the house (etxea), understood in a wider sense than merely a building.

The roof tile represented likewise private property as opposed to communal property. Thus, the roofs of shepherds’ huts and livestock housing built on communal land could not be tiled, since the tile was reserved for immovables. (more…)

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