The 7 most famous Basque traditions

A summary of the best known and most famous Basque traditions that have survived to the present day.

The Basque Country is a land rich in culture and history, whose origins go back in time.

It is currently one of the most dynamic regions of Spain, both economically and culturally, full of interesting traditions that will delight everyone who comes to know them.

From sports lovers to lovers of good food or good local folklore, everyone will enjoy a land that, day by day, continues to demonstrate that it still has much to say and much to offer.

Here we will see some of the most important Basque traditions, briefly explained.briefly explained.

7 of the most important Basque traditions.

In the following lines you will find Basque traditions classified into several categories.

1. Basque Pelota

It is one of the most famous sports in the Basque Country and one of the most international Basque traditions.. The rule is simple: a couple of players or pelotaris (or two couples), are placed in front of a fronton, against which they bounce a ball to score points.

It seems that the origin of the game has its roots in medieval Spain, when the so-called palm game, of French origin (Jeu de paumme), was practiced.

Pelota games were very common among the European nobility, who had their own "frontons".who had their own "frontons" in the courtyards of their palaces. From there it evolved into the different manifestations we know today: Basque pelota, Valencian pelota and even tennis.

2. The procession of the lanterns of Vitoria

A beautiful and emotional celebration that brings together all the people of Vitoria every August 4 at night, on the eve of the feast of the White Virgin, and fills the capital with lights and colors.

The procession traces its origins to the 17th century, when the Vitoria waxmakerswhen the waxmakers of Vitoria gathered in a brotherhood under the patronage of the Virgen Blanca and established this procession in her honor.

The lanterns that fill the Vitoria night with light are related to the divine mysteries. First parade the Joyful Mysteries, whose representative color is blue; later the Sorrowful Mysteries, with purple as standard. The last to pass are the Glorious Mysteries, whose lanterns are flooded with red.

Each part of the procession follows the same structure.. Each group of Mysteries is opened by the lantern/cross of the Our Father, followed by the lanterns of the Ave Maria. Each part is closed by a last lantern, which represents the Glory of the Father.

The procession ends on the steps of the Church of San Miguel and in the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca. It is undoubtedly one of the most mystical and emotional celebrations of the capital of Alava, and one of the most beautiful processions of the city.and one of the most beautiful processions in the Basque Country.

3. Basque dances

Basque culture is full of music and dance. There are countless popular manifestations in this sense, so we will limit ourselves to outline the best known.

The aurresku

One of the most famous and widespread dances, which has given fame to the Basque culture at an international level. It is a restrained and sober danceIt is a dance of wonderful elegance, which plays with the positions of the feet and legs and the swaying of the body. It is a very old traditional dance, usually used as a tribute and very linked to solemn ceremonies such as weddings or official acts.

The dancers dance to the beat of a very characteristic instrument, the txistu, and the tambourine. The txistu player is called the txistulari, while the dancer is the aurreskulari.

Usually, the execution of the aurresku follows a definite outlineFirst, the dancers go around the square and finally stop in front of the Town Hall. Then, the first of the dancers, the aurresku (front hand in Basque), performs his acrobatics.

The atzesku (back hand) or last dancer is the one who dances last. Usually, among its numbers there is one of special importance, the so-called Aurrez-aurre or Challenge, in which both dancers face each other and perform their dance steps, especially difficult.

The two most important ladies of the place, usually the mayor's wife and another woman from his family, are also invited to the dance. The aurresku performs an individual dance in front of the first, while the atzesku does the same later with the second lady guest.

Although the dance was originally a choral dance, nowadays it is more usual for the aurresku or front hand dancer to dance alone, so the dance is known by its name only.The dance is known only by its name.

The Fandango and the Arin -Arin

They are the two most popular dances of the Basque culture, present in all festivals and celebrations.. Many experts relate them to the Spanish jota, because of their fast rhythm and vehement movements.

It seems that the fandango arrived in the north of Spain in the 18th century, coming from the south of the Peninsula. Considered at the time as an amoral and "sinful" dance, it gradually became one of the most beloved and popular dances in the Basque tradition. Its rhythm is ternary (i.e., of ¾), and generally consists of three steps, although in Navarra it is common to add a fourth.

The Arin-Arin shares many characteristics with the Fandango.. Its rhythm is also fast and the movements of the dancers, enthusiastic and passionate. Some specialists argue that this type of dances may come from the so-called medieval Danzas altas, which were characterized by dynamic and forceful steps. Their counterpart would be the Low Dances, whose evolutions were much more calm and solemn.

4. The Carnivals

In the Basque tradition, Carnivals are lived with passion. These ancient celebrations still preserve certain pagan vestiges, and have their maximum diffusion in rural environments. One of the most famous is the Zalduondo Carnival..

The central figure of the Zalduondo Carnival is Markitos, a rag doll that is "accused" of all the evils of the community. The archaic origin of this tradition is obvious, since we must remember that Carnival served, in the Middle Ages, to give the people a few days of entertainment and disinhibition before the arrival of Lent.

Poor Markitos is subjected to a kind of public trial, and finally he is burned in a fire.and finally he is burned in the square to purify with his "death" the sins of the community. Formerly, his "death" was perpetrated with a shot in the head that burst the doll.

Markitos is the king of the Zalduondo Carnivals, but there are many other rural but there are many other rural carnivals in the area of Alava, such as those of IlaraThe main character varies depending on the locality: for example, in Kuartango the party revolves around the Bear, while in the carnivals of Ilarduia, the Straw Man is the main character.

In spite of the differences, all these Basque carnivals represent one of the most magnificent representations of what could have been the Carnival in medieval times, when men and women were carried away by their appetites, and even caused some misunderstandings.When men and women were carried away by their appetites, and even caused the occasional misunderstanding.

5. The aizkolaris

These log-cutting competitions are very popular in the Basque tradition. They also have medieval origins (or maybe much older), when lumberjacks challenged each other to see who was able to cut the most logs. However, official exhibitions date back only to the 19th century..

The aizkolari is the one who cuts the logs (from aizkolari, a person who handles an axe). He must be in excellent physical condition, since cutting solid logs requires strength, precision and endurance. Although it has always been a male activity, nowadays not a few women have dared to pick up the axe and take part in these competitions.

6. The farmhouses

Typical construction of the Basque rural area, the origin of the farmhouse (baserri in Basque) goes back to the medieval centuries. Related to the Catalan mas, it is an isolated building, surrounded by farmland and pasture, self-sufficient and capable of supporting the needs of an entire family and its day laborers.

The construction is made of stone, with a gable roof. The lower floor was usually used for stables, barns, etc., while the second floor was used as a family dwelling. Also as it happened in Catalonia, it was the first-born son who usually inherited the estate, which caused many conflicts and social problems, since the second-born sons were left to inherit the property.This caused many conflicts and social problems, since the second-born were left without a livelihood.

The farmhouse is the ultimate symbol of Basque rurality. Currently, many of them have been reconverted into tourist or restaurant farms, thus adapting to the new times.

7. Gastronomy

As far as Basque traditions related to gastronomy are concerned, the following stand out.

Biscayan Cod

A dish par excellence of the Basque cuisine, the bacalao a la vizcaína or Basque style cod is prepared with previously desalted cod and the famous Biscayan sauce, whose main ingredients are garlic, onion and chorizo peppers. The result is a very tasty and not heavy dish that delights the table.

Perretxikos and snails of San Prudencio

Very typical of Vitoria for the feast of this saint, patron saint of the region of Alava. Perretxitkos are the mushrooms par excellence of the Basque Country and Navarre.They are served in a tasty sauce scrambled with snails, previously "scared" so that they come out of their shells.

Grilled T-bone steak

The meat from the north has an enormous reputation, and anyone who loves Basque gastronomy must try the succulent and hearty T-bone steak, washed down with a good artisan cider and crowned with the exquisite Basque cheese accompanied by walnuts.

Codfish omelette from Gipuzkoa

The typical "cider house menu", characteristic of the Gipuzkoa area, would be composed of this delicious cod omelette.would be composed of this delicious omelette, grilled meats and fish and a good cider.

Drinks

We have already mentioned the typical cider, but we cannot forget either the traditional txakolí of Biscay, usually white and made with green grapes, and the wines of the Rioja Alavesa.

Bibliographical references:

• Special collaboration of Hugo García, art historian, specialist in the history of Alava and its tradition.
• Interesting websites:
• turismovasco.com
• ww.basquecountrymagazine.com