Basque ethnography at a glance
Operators at telephone exchange. Vitoria-Gasteiz, 1926. Fundación Telefónica Photographic Archive.
It is commonplace to talk about the significant progress made in communication. Field research conducted in 1997 includes data gathered to a shepherd from the neighbourhood of Bernagoitia in Amorebieta-Etxano (Bizkaia) and reveals the use of an old method of communication.
As the flock grazed near the farmhouse or the camp during transterminance, and provided that sites messages were sent from and received were within sight, the messaging procedure prevented unnecessary journeys, spreading a white sheet or piece of clothing on the field being the signal, known as zeinea, to either confirm or rule out information previously agreed upon. (more…)
![Mari Karmen Berrizbeitia. Sanblasak begietan: argazkilariak Abadiñoko ferian [Eyes on the Feast of St Blaise: photographers at the Abadiño fair]](https://www.labayru.eus/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/cordones.jpg)
Mari Karmen Berrizbeitia. Sanblasak begietan: argazkilariak Abadiñoko ferian [Eyes on the feast of St Blaise: photographers at the Abadiño fair].
The feast of St Blaise, on 3 February, is celebrated in many localities one way or another, but in Abadiño (Bizkaia) the occasion is a very special one. There is evidence of an agricultural and livestock fair held in this town since the 17th century. The said fair is well known throughout the Basque Country and used to be attended by people from all over the peninsula. (more…)
Akaitze Kamiruaga. Labayru Fundazioa Photographic Archive.
Winters are much milder than in times past. Frosts were more frequent then, and it used to snow more than it does now, according to numerous ethnographic testimonies.
Except for sudden, exceptional episodes of severe weather caused by so-called polar vortices, prolonged spells of ice and snow have all but vanished for much of the territory, and snow today lies for a couple of days and melts away. (more…)
![Red roof tiling. Photograph by Xabi Otero taken from Euskaldunak [The Basques], 4](https://www.labayru.eus/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/teilla-gorria_euskaldunak.jpg)
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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