The 7 most famous Basque traditions

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 very interesting traditions that will delight anyone who comes to know them.

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

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

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7 of the most important Basque traditions

In the following lines you will find Basque traditions classified in various categories.

1. Basque pelota

It is one of the best known sports in the Basque Country and one of the most international Basque traditions. The rule is simple: a pair of players or pelotaris (or two pairs), stand before a fronton, against which they bounce a ball to obtain 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.

Ball games were very common among the European nobility, which had their own "pediments" in the courtyards of their palaces. From there it evolved to become the different manifestations that 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 Virgen Blanca festival, and that fills the capital with lights and colors.

The procession dates back to the seventeenth century, when the Vitoria chandis met in a brotherhood sponsored by the Virgen Blanca and established this procession in her honor.

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

Each of the parts of the procession follows the same structure. Each group of Mysteries opens the lantern / cross of the Lord's Prayer, which is followed by the lanterns of the Ave Maria. Each part closes a last lantern, which represents the Glory of the Father.

The procession ends at 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 in the capital of Alava, 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 regard, so we will limit ourselves to reviewing the best known.

The aurresku

One of the most famous and widespread dances, which has made Basque culture famous internationally. It is a contained and sober dance, of a wonderful elegance, that plays with the positions of the feet and the legs and the balance of the body. It is a very old traditional dance, usually used as a tribute and closely 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 performer is called the txistulari, while the dancer is the aurreskulari.

Usually, the execution of the aurresku follows a defined scheme: first, the dancers walk around the square, and finally stop in front of the Town Hall. Next, 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 their numbers one of special importance is inserted, the so-called Aurrez-aurre or Challenge, in which both dancers face each other and perform their dance steps, especially difficult.

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

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

The Fandango and the Arin -Arin

They are the two most popular dances in Basque culture, present at all parties and celebrations. Many experts associate them with the Spanish jota, due to their fast pace and fiery movements.

It seems that the fandango came to 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, little by little it was consolidating itself as one of the most beloved and popular dances in the Basque tradition. Its rhythm is ternary (that is, 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 dance may come from the so-called medieval High Dances, which were characterized by dynamic and forceful steps. Its 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 conserve certain pagan vestiges, and have their maximum diffusion in rural environments. One of the best known is the Zalduondo Carnival.

The central figure of the Zalduondo Carnival is Markitos, a rag doll who is "accused" of all the ills 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 given a kind of public trial, 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 to the head that shattered the doll.

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

Despite the differences, all these Basque carnivals They represent one of the most magnificent representations of what Carnival could have been in medieval times., when men and women were carried away by their appetites, and even caused the odd misunderstanding.

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5. The aizkolaris

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

The aizkolari is the one who cuts the logs (from aizkolari, person who wields an ax). You have to be in excellent physical condition, as cutting solid logs requires strength, precision and endurance. Although it has always been a male activity, nowadays not a few women have dared to take up the ax and participate in these competitions.

6. The farmhouses

Typical construction of the Basque rural area, the origin of the farmhouse (baserri in Basque) dates back to the medieval centuries. Related to the most Catalan, 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 gabled roof. Stables, barns, etc. were used to be found on the lower floor, while the first floor was used as a family home. Also as it happened in Catalonia, It was the first-born male who used to inherit the farm, which caused many conflicts and social problems, since the second-boys were running out of livelihood.

The farmhouse is the highest symbol of Basque rurality. Currently, many of them have been converted into farms for tourist exploitation or restoration, thus adapting to new times.

7. Gastronomy

As for the Basque traditions that have to do with gastronomy, the following stand out.

Cod Biscayne

The quintessential dish of Basque cuisine, cod Biscayne or Basque is prepared with cod previously desalination and the famous Biscayan sauce, whose main ingredients are garlic, onion and peppers choriceros. The result is a very tasty and not heavy dish that will delight the table.

Perretxikos and snails of San Prudencio

Very typical of Vitoria for the festivity of this saint, patron of the Álava region. Perretxitkos are the quintessential mushrooms of the Basque Country and Navarra; They are served in a tasty sauce scrambled with the snails, previously "scared" so that they come out of the shell.

The grilled ribeye

The meat of the north has enormous fame, and anyone who boasts of loving Basque gastronomy must try the succulent and hearty ribeye, well washed down with a good artisan cider and topped by the exquisite Basque cheese accompanied by walnuts.

Cod omelette from Gipuzkoa

The typical “cider house menu”, characteristic of the Gipuzkoa areaIt would be made up of this delicious omelette, grilled meat and fish and a good cider.

Drinks

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

Bibliographic references:

• Special collaboration of Hugo García, art historian, specialist in the history of Álava and its tradition.
• Pages of interest:
• turismovasco.com
• ww.basquecountrymagazine.com