Basque ethnography at a glance

Climb to the mountain. Aia (Gipuzkoa), 1998. Antxon Aguirre.

Transhumance is the practice of moving livestock, mainly sheep, from one grazing ground to another in a seasonal cycle, typically to highlands in summer and lowlands in winter. And for good reason, because pasture and forage resources in certain geographical areas do not always match livestock needs throughout the year. Long-distance livestock routes are commonly known as cañadas, or altxonbideak in Lower Navarre and Zuberoa, whereas ardibideak, or simply bideak, are minor paths and tracks used to access the mountain from lower altitudes.

The great transhumance is that which covers long distances, herds and herders travelling on foot from the Navarrese Pyrenean valleys to the Royal Bardenas being a prime example of it in the Basque Country. Other than that, there was once a strong presence of transhumant herds on the ranges of Urbasa and Andia in the Pre-Pyrenees, due to the quality of their pastures and their status as crown land the people of Navarre have the right to use and enjoy.

Short-distance migration between the valley and the nearby mountain has, however, been the most widespread form of pastoralism in our country. Namely, the Pyrenees have distinguished themselves by an early and long-lasting transhumance of large herds. In spring herders camped on middle-mountain pastures until the snow melted, well into June, and they could finally start their final ascent to the higher heights.

Ancient drove route in Roncal (Navarre). Iñaki San Miguel.

The highlands of Goierri have a long history of being major seasonal grazing grounds, and the tradition continues today. More precisely, chiefly flocks from Gipuzkoa, and still the odd one from Navarre, go graze in Aralar.

Not only shepherds from surrounding valleys made the best use of meadows in Badaia Range, Higher Ribera and Toloño, but also large Merino flocks from the southern part of La Rioja, as well as bordering locations in Burgos and Soria, migrated there in former times.

Instances of this type of minor transhumance called transterminance, understood as the alternation of pastures in the valley with the nearby high mountain, are likewise found in Bizkaia. That is how it went in Gorbeia Mountain, where shepherds lived in cabins of which they were mere beneficial owners.

Shepherding followed a daily cycle, provided pastures were close enough. Such was the case of shepherds from villages around Oiz Mountain, who tended their flocks from their farms, balancing simultaneously livestock farming with agricultural work. They climbed up very early in the morning to milk the sheep and climbed back down to work in the fields. Most herds stayed in the mountain from May until December.

The uplands of Urkiola, close to the neighbouring mountain range of Anboto, have been mostly grazed by herds from the valley of Atxondo. Since the mid-1990s the climb is organized collectively in a festive spirit with a view to reviving this traditional practice and making it known to urban peoples.

Segundo Oar-Arteta – Etniker Bizkaia – Etniker Euskalerria Groups

Translated by Jaione Bilbao – Ethnography Department – Labayru Fundazioa

Reference for further information: Livestock Farming and Shepherding, part of the Ethnographic Atlas of the Basque Country collection.