Basque ethnography at a glance

Light offerings to Saint Wilgefortis. Urduliz, 2005. Akaitze Kamiruaga. Labayru Fundazioa Photographic Archive.

The feast of St Marina (popularly referred to as santa Mariñe) is celebrated on 20 July at the hermitage situated on the cliffs bearing the name of the saint and lying on the border between the towns of Urduliz and Sopela in Bizkaia. It is the only hermitage in Urduliz. Its location is unique as it was built on the rock itself, at the highest point of the town, about 350 metres away from the parish church.

Most hermitages devoted to Saint Marina celebrate the saint’s day on 18 July, but in Urduliz the feast has always been held on 20 July, which in accordance with the primitive Roman liturgical calendar corresponded to the festivity of Saint Margaret. Incidentally, the one and only image this hermitage housed, now kept in the parish church, represents Saint Wilgefortis (locally known as santa Librada). This might indicate Saint Margaret, Saint Marina and Saint Wilgefortis could be different names for the same saint.

Celebrations start around eleven in the morning. It has been customary for people from Urduliz and Sopela to walk in procession to the hermitage and celebrate mass separately from each other. In former times townspeople from Urduliz paraded the image of the saint from the parish church, where it remained throughout the year, to its hermitage. Nowadays the figure is transported privately early in the morning.

The marching continues to be popular. Marchers leave the church and climb up the hillside and the stairs leading to the hermitage accompanied by the txistu players. Once at the top they attend mass at a packed hermitage that can hardly accommodate the huge crowd.

Saint Wilgefortis has traditionally been venerated by pregnant women and new mothers. Still to date expecting women make candle offerings and pray to the saint for a good birth. In the olden days it was also common to take newborns to the hermitage for a blessing.

Attendants to the feast of St Marina. Urduliz, 2005. Akaitze Kamiruaga. Labayru Fundazioa Photographic Archive.

After mass the town council would distribute sponge fingers and a glass of white wine or grape juice to the participants. Music and dancing followed. Nowadays an aurresku dance of honour is performed and assorted biscuits and wine shared by the people gathered in the small field.

It is by tradition a family celebration. Whole families used to set out for the day, women carrying on their heads large baskets of food for lunch. The first green peppers of the season would typically be tasted with great anticipation on such occasion.

A popular descent is currently organised in the afternoon with the participation of local dance groups. Some more dancing and partying in Antsonekoa Square bring festive events to a close.

Akaitze Kamiruaga – Popular Cultural Heritage Department – Labayru Fundazioa

Translated by Jaione Bilbao – Language Department – Labayru Fundazioa

References for further information: Gurutzi Arregi. Ermitas de Bizkaia (3 v.), Bilbao, 1987 y Origen y significación de las ermitas de Bizkaia, Bilbao, 1999.