The 7 most important customs and traditions of Navarra

Navarra, whose official name is Comunidad Foral de Navarra, whose capital is the city of Pamplona, It is a region with a very interesting history and cultural particularities that are reflected in its traditions.

Here We will talk about those customs and traditions of Navarra in order to highlight the most characteristic events, rites and activities of each one.

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The most important traditions, customs and festivities of Navarra

Among the many customs and traditions of Navarra we are going to highlight its Christmas rites, the carnivals of Navarra and other traditional festivals in the area such as "El Rey de la Fata”, “La Javierada”, “La Bajada del Ángel”, and, of course, “Los Sanfermines” which are celebrated every July 7 in Pamplona, ​​a festival of international recognition.

1. Christmas in Navarre

Among the main customs and traditions of Navarra, it is convenient to include the traditional rites typical of this area, beyond the dinners, nativity scenes and Christmas carols typical of this time of year.

In Navarra, as in the Basque Country, it is tradition the Olentzero, in the case of a mythological charcoal burner that distributes gifts on Christmas day in Navarra, the Basque Country and also in the area of ​​the French Basque Country. The origin of this Christmas character of the Basque tradition is found in the area of ​​Lesaca (Lesaka) in Navarra and he is commonly represented as a somewhat ragged, strong man, whose garments are stained with Coal.

On the other hand, the Olentzero is a man who lives isolated from society and dedicates himself to making charcoal in the mountains, coming down only at Christmas to distribute gifts to homes. Originally, the Olentzero predates the custom for celebrating Christmas parties, so At first, this character was placed within the celebrations that took place on the winter solstice; however, over time he established himself within the Christmas celebrations, becoming a character who brings gifts to children on Christmas day.

Another of the customs and traditions of Navarra at Christmas time is the water rite that is celebrated every year in various towns of the area, the most famous being the one held in the town of Urdiáin, where on December 31 the participants in this celebration They are in charge of collecting water from the fountain with their vessels to offer it to the neighbors and the authorities of their respective localities in exchange for the Christmas bonus.; it is yes, before collecting the water they wait at the fountain until the 12 bells ring announcing the arrival of the New Year.

It is also a tradition that in the celebration of the water rite, couplets are recited in Basque in each house where they stop to receive the Christmas bonus.

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2. The King of Beans

Among the customs and traditions of Navarra on Christmas dates, it is worth highlighting what is known as "El Rey de la Faba", a celebration that comes from a traditional children's party in Navarra in which a child was crowned king in a ceremony which was carried out in the old way, just as it was done in the Middle Ages, being a custom that has been kept alive until today every January in a castle, a palace or a church.

The crowned child must be the one who has been awarded with the bean that is hidden in the roscón de reyes, being proclaimed King of Navarre. On the other hand, it should be mentioned that As a result of this tradition, the custom arose that whoever finds the bean in the roscón de reyes becomes the “king of the house”, so the cardboard crown that the roscones usually bring inside the box should be placed.

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3. Carnivals in Navarra

Within the main customs and traditions of Navarre, its Carnivals could not be missing either, with their unique character, including those held in Ituren and Zubieta, a festival of tourist interest in which the residents of both towns participate, carrying out various activities, such as the parade, dressed in lace petticoats, brogues, sheep twins, colored neckerchiefs, a swab of horse mane in his right hand and also with conical caps with ribbons.

The Carnivals of Ituren and Zubieta are celebrated in the last week of January, being earlier than in the rest of the towns. On Monday there is a parade through the streets of Zubieta, while on Tuesday they parade through those of Ituren.

On the other hand, one of the most outstanding Carnivals for its richness in traditional characters is that of the town of Lantz. At nightfall, the neighbors represent various characters performing a scene that consists of capturing a bandit known by the name of Miel Otxin. Other of the most outstanding characters of this Carnival are Ziripot, Zaldiko, Arotzak and Txatxo.

Finally, it is worth mentioning the Alsasua or Altsasu Carnivals, having been declared a festival of tourist interest in Navarra. Its celebration begins on Sunday with a celebration of the children's carnival. Tuesday night is the parade of adults in costume, among which the Momotxorros stand out, some characters that carry bull's horns, with sheep's wool trellises and also dressed in blue pants, black sandals and socks whites.

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4. The Javierada

Another of the most important customs and traditions of Navarra is the pilgrimage known as La Javierada, which takes place towards the Castle of Javier in honor of the patron saint of the Kingdom of Navarra Francisco de Javier, currently being the Coparon next to San Fermín. This pilgrimage is made in two calls, beginning in some towns that are located in the south of Navarra. The first pilgrimage begins on the first Sunday that falls between March 4 and 12, while the second would be on the Saturday of the following week.

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5. Holy Week in Navarre

The Bajada del Ángel, a ceremony that is celebrated on Easter Sunday every year in the town of Tudela, is another of the best-known customs and traditions of Navarra, and it is that In it there is a representation of the appearance of the angel Gabriel at the moment in which he announces the resurrection of Jesus to Mary.

Other acts of interest that take place during Holy Week in Navarra are the procession of the Encounter between the Blessed and the Sorrowful and also the persecution of Judas in the town of Cabanillas; while in the town of Luzaide-Valcarlos the traditional Easter dances stand out in the farmhouses and neighborhoods on Easter Sunday, this tradition being known by the name of the "bolantes de Luzaide/Valcarlos”.

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7. Sanfermines

Among the customs and traditions of Navarra, the world-famous Sanfermines could not be missing, which are celebrated every year in the city of Pamplona from July 6 to July 15, both inclusive, being a celebration that has been declared a Festival of Tourist Interest International.

The Sanfermines begin with the famous launch of the chupinazo that takes place on July 6 at noon from the balcony of Pamplona City Hall and end with a farewell song (Pobre de mí…) on July 15 at 00:00.

Throughout these festivities multiple activities are carried out in various events, notably perhaps the most famous of these festivities, the running of the bulls, which consists of a race of approximately 875 meters in which thousands of people participate running in front of 6 bulls and 6 halters, concluding the tour in the bullring of the city, being an event that takes place every day between July 7 and 14, including both days.

Due to the danger of the running of the bulls and the long distance of the route, normally the participants travel only a certain part of the route, making way for the following.

Other acts are also carried out during the Sanfermines, such as the procession in honor of San Fermín on July 7, the morning targets, the Riau Riau, the fireworks artificial, the troupe of giants and big heads, among others, being characteristic of this festival the attire that the participants usually wear, dressing in White and red.