Basque ethnography at a glance
Illustration from the work Euskalerriaren Yakintza.
There are two appropriate dates in the calendar for miraculous solutions: the solstices of the year.
On this occasion we shall refer to the summer solstice, or what is the same, the night before St. John’s Day, associated to having great potential for extraordinary solutions which exceeded all natural logic and order.
One of the usual rites of that night aimed at curing herniated children. They were kids whose guts were partially eviscerated by a tear of the peritoneal membrane. They usually had a lump in the lower abdomen, often in the groin, where the thigh joins the lower belly. This injury could bring very serious consequences, including the possibility of death.
Celebration of Saint John in Zizurkil. Author: Emilio X. Dueñas.
Saint John´s night and solstice feast have been associated with an infinite number of protection rituals for centuries: the beneficent use of water collected on this date, the free aerial circulation of harmful underground and aerial beings, the purifying use of fire, and the importance of the king star at this particular feast. The sun has led to the collective belief of St John´s being the longest day of the year (scientifically refuted), and also its singular and expected dance at dawn (optical effect known as “sun dog or parhelion”), and the bonfires that hoot the night light with their flames that make shadows of those around them dance. Therefore, it is no wonder that people and communities were captivated by the visual spectacle of the moment, trying to emulate it in their family or collective festive activities.
Author: Zuriñe Goitia
One of the most important vital functions of people is breathing, which we do unconsciously and involuntarily, without having to think about it. Sometimes though, our breathing is disturbed by the sudden contraction of the muscle at the base of the lungs, the diaphragm, causing the vocal cords to close and generate a distinctive sound, “hip”, which produces hiccups. It is a reflex act, which usually has a finite duration, disappears by itself, and it’s not serious. Although it may appear for no apparent reason, transient hiccups (zotin, txopin, txokin, kika, ipotz, txokoleta), are associated with eating quickly or abundantly, drinking alcoholic or gaseous beverages, or experiencing a sudden emotion.
Photo: Fernando Hualde
Last week of May, first half of June… it all depends on the state of the pastures, and how spring goes; but in any case, it is time to leave the Bardenas Reales and head to the ancient Cañada Real de los Roncaleses (old drovers´ roads) with the flocks of sheep, searching for the high mountain pastures of the Roncal Valley. Just as it was done last year, five years ago, a hundred ago, and more than a thousand years ago. It is an ancient tradition and a well-earned right, based on bravery in combat, by the Roncalese, as they were shepherds in times of peace, and soldiers in times of war. That warrior spirit is what made them, in the year 882, the first congozantes (referring to the entities that enjoy the rights of use and usufruct of a facero territory [act between several communities for the use of pastures on land located next to the boundaries of their own territories. In some cases, some of the communities that use these pastures are not adjacent to the farm, or the uses are not only of pastures, but also of firewood and wood], it applies mainly to entities that enjoy these rights in Bardenas Reales, but is also used in other areas), also co-owners, of the Bardenas Reales by order of King Sancho García of Castile (also called Sancho of the Good Laws).
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