Traditions

The population of the Basque Country faithfully preserves its custom and traditions. Some places keep most of its history, for example, its museums, among the most important are: the Museum of Fine Arts in Bilbao, Bilbao River Maritime Museum, the Guggenheim Museum, Archaelogical Museum of Bizkaia, etc.

Through centuries of story telling, the Basques have evolved a rich and colourful mythology. In ancient times, their land was supposed to have been peopled by race of giants called “jentillak”. These giants lived side by side with human inhabitants until the coming of Christ. At the time they disappeared, leaving behind only one of them, called Olentzero. Nowadays, Olentzero is a sort of folk icon who appears in the form of dolls and straw figures in processions and homes.

Having fun in the Basque Country is easy. All community people celebrate their festivals with numerous street events, especially during the summer time.

-Basques dances.

The Basque dances are something very important inside the culture of Basque Country, because they are a part of the liturgical ceremonies of the festivities and they use as hosts cultural, politics, sports personalities.

The aurreskua: is one of the most widespread dances. It is a dance that is practised as a reverence, played by one or more “txistularis” (Basque musicians) and a “dantzari” (dancer), in public events. It is a solemn and elegant dance in which the dancer makes fast movements jumping and raising the legs up, with the “txapela” in hand. There are many more dances: ezpatadantza, agurra dantza, makil dantza…

Oral tradition, common to all people, was the way of communication previous to the writing by which the transmission of stories memorized of history and custom took place. It would give origin to the culture.

-Bertsolaris: can be translated as “versifier” and they are those dedicated to composing, singing and improvising verses in Basque, “bertsoak”. To improvise the verses it is necessary to follow very specific rules of rhyme and metrics. Currently, every four years, a championship of “bertsolaris” in Basque Country is organized where a juror rewards the most inspired and better composed “bertsos”.

-Clothing.

The single most distinctive item of traditional Basque clothing – still worn throughout the country – is the black beret, called “txapela” in Basque, worn by Basque men.

Accustomed to agil and light dance, to the ball, to the mountain, the Basque used soled slippers. Made in sole of hemp and the exterior part in fabric, tied with laces. “Pilotaris” (pelota players) use them in their sports fights.

The “lauburu” in many old arks and stones we can see the drawing of “lauburu” (also called Basque cross). This old Basque adornment used frequently has a significance that hasn’t been deciphered yet.