Basque ethnography at a glance
Fruit tree in full bloom. Luis Manuel Peña. Labayru Fundazioa Photographic Archive.
Just as a house was not a home unless it contained a hearth, blood was regarded as the very essence of life and health for people and farm animals alike. Indeed, there is an old saying that ‘a house without fire is like a body without blood’, its documented Basque equivalent being su bako etxea, gorputz odolbagea.
Blood also refers to emotions and temperament, especially when passionate. Thus, for instance, we say that someone who annoys us ‘makes our blood boil’, odolak irakiten deusku, or that someone ‘seems to have no blood in his veins’, odolbakoa da, to suggest that nothing upsets or moves him, or that he lacks passion and verve. There are plenty of similar expressions that we use, almost without realizing it, in everyday language. (more…)
Infected pine forest. Sergio Fernández.
Over the 20th century a dramatic transformation of the landscape took place in Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa. Our mountains were gradually covered by vast forests of insignis or radiata pine (Pinus radiata), a species native to the west coast of North America. The complex reasons for such a radical transformation are associated to large-scale privatization of the commons, a purely economic vision, and above all, the abandonment of agricultural and farm activities. As the rural world lost its traditional function, pine farming took on a dominant role; furthermore, it generated plentiful benefits, not in vain foresters proudly called it their ‘green gold’. (more…)
Devil’s Bridge in Castrejana (Bizkaia). José Ignacio García Muñoz.
The rooster born in March from an egg laid in March (marti-oilarra or martiko oilarra) is considered to be a magic bird in the popular tradition of Bizkaia, and unlike others, is said to crow at midnight. Various versions of the ancient legend of the “Devil’s Bridge” feature this mythological character, all sharing the same essential plot.
The legend tells of a master builder who undertook a contract to build a bridge in Castrejana, but any work completed by his men during the day fell apart the next night. (more…)
Halo around the Moon. José Ignacio García. Labayru Fundazioa Photographic Archive.
Legend has it that on her way down from the mountain, a woman set fire to a load of gorse and became the Moon.
The lunar phases and their impact on terrestrial life cycles have long been considered a prominent factor for sowing, planting and harvesting. As it happens, tides are mainly caused by the pull of the Moon on Earth. (more…)
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