Basque ethnography at a glance

Kutxa-entrega in Hondarribia (25/07/2022). Photo: E. X. Dueñas

According to the Dictionary of the Spanish language, the term “identity” has, among others, the meaning of “the set of natural characters of one individual or group, which characterizes them in comparison with others”, including the following synonyms: identification, affiliation and personality… To those, I would add two more acceptations: singularity and root (origin); without forgetting that identity also manifests itself in rivalry (healthy or unhealthy) in certain sports, celebrations, etc.

Annual festivities, and the ones celebrated during summer in particular, are filled with signs of identity and symbolic elements, general and specific; both from the material immaterial aspects. Who hasn’t heard the expressions “this is a lifelong festivity” or “this is not celebrated anywhere else”. We’ve already covered this topic in other articles from the blog.

Every element is defended as a distinction of the individual, group, neighborhood or local level. Celebrations are held in many towns, but each one is unique and special, and even better than others. Furthermore, the one from this year is nothing like the one from the previous year, nor does it resemble the next year, even if it is in the same place. As a real fact, this is like stating that each moment is never exactly repeated.

Festive handkerchiefs: Lizarra (96/08/2023) and Muskildi (2015). Photo: E. X. Dueñas

One of the features which make a celebration different from the others and, therefore, attaches a certain level of identity to it, is the name or clothing of each group, collective or troupe. The white color being typical of popular festivities has its origins in the late 19th century.

With the passing of time, the checkered handkerchief (zapi) has been gaining ground as a fashion trend for these celebrations. They can be seen in all colors and sizes. The handkerchief was at the time used for work, for example, to remove sweat or to carry a basket on the head. Over time though (with or without added graphic motif), it has become the symbol of many groups both at a general level, and within smaller communities.

Kaxarranka from Lekeitio (29/06/2019) and flag of the dancers (dantzaris) from Garai (26/07/2019). Photo: E. X. Dueñas

So many elements, events, and activities of the festivities can be found from a popular point of view, that there is no place within this article to mention them all. By way of example: the kilin-kala in Lesaka, or the gesture of turning the image of St. Peter into the water; in Lekeitio, the Kaxarranka and the goose pulling in the harbor; in Lesaka, the Zubigainekoa dance on the parapets of the Onin river; in Hondarribia, the spinning around of the daughter of a member of the Saint Peter Fishermen´s Guild (Kepa Deun Arrantzaleen Kofradia), with the group´s document box on her head; or, in Oion, the tumbling of Katxi (Katxiren iraulketa) to the ground while the local flag of is waved.

Handkerchiefs, flags, clothing, celebrations, etc., become an identity cause and effect. It cannot be estimated that the entire population defends its belonging to a town or entity with the same degree and conviction, or in this case its celebrations; but they are so socially relevant that it is difficult to abstract from that uniqueness identity attraction. Attraction that comes from being part of a community that lives its festivities as unique, exclusive and authentic.

Emilio Xabier Dueñas – Folklorist and ethnographer