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Zantiratua ritual in Zeanuri (Bizkaia), c. 1915. Felipe Manterola Collection. Labayru Fundazioa Photographic Archive.

In Gernika (Bizkaia) and environs a sprain or strain, typically in the ankle, is known as zantiratua, from zan ‘vein, nerve, tendon, ligament’ and tiratu ‘pull, stretch’. Other denominations such as bihortua or trokatua are likewise common to refer to a sprained foot, thus differing it from a dislocation, in which case the bone is said to ‘come out of the joint’, hazurrak urten.

Menstruating women were believed to be prone to sprains and strains, so it was not uncommon that they would wrap their ankles. And conversely, wrapped ankles were generally interpreted as a precaution during the menstrual period. (more…)