Basques
The Basques are an indigenous European people primarily located in the Basque Country, a region straddling the border between northeastern Spain and southwestern France. They are known for their unique language, Basque, which is believed to predate the Roman Empire and is distinct from other European languages. Historically, the Basques have maintained a strong sense of regional identity, often prioritizing their cultural roots over national affiliations with Spain or France. Their heritage includes a rich tradition of sheepherding, agriculture, fishing, and maritime navigation, with many Basques contributing to expeditions to the Americas during the Age of Exploration.
The Basque region comprises four provinces in Spain—Álava, Biscay, Gipuzkoa, and Navarre—and three in France—Labourd, Lower Navarre, and Soule. Over the centuries, the Basques faced numerous invasions but largely retained autonomy until the Spanish conquest in the early 16th century, after which they negotiated a degree of self-governance. In the 20th century, political tensions escalated, particularly during and after Spain's Civil War, leading to suppression of the Basque language and culture under Francisco Franco's regime. However, since the late 20th century, there has been a resurgence in the use of the Basque language and cultural practices. Traditional sports, a vibrant culinary scene featuring seafood and lamb, and social practices like txikiteos are integral to Basque culture, highlighting their unique identity within Europe.
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Basques
The Basques are members of a European people. Their homeland is among the mountains and forests of a region on the border of France and Spain. They speak a unique language, known as Basque.
Scientists believe that the Basque people originated from migrants coming into the region and joining with hunter-gatherers living there. DNA studies carried out in the early twenty-first century suggest that the early Basques became isolated from other Europeans. According to these studies, their ancestors were native to Europe far before other Europeans' ancestors.
Basques identify with their region before they identify with the nations of France and Spain. They have developed a culture that sets them apart from their neighbors. They practiced sheepherding, farming, sailing, and fishing throughout their history. Many Basques were part of the voyages and colonization of North and South America. After Spain and France, the United States hosts the largest Basque population, with many of them concentrated in Idaho.
Brief History
For millennia, the Basques lived in relative isolation from their fellow Europeans, avoiding conquest from several invading groups. This changed in the Middle Ages, when Basques emerged as adept sailors, navigators, and fishermen. They used their catches and naval skills not only to sustain their own people, but also to trade with other European countries. Several Basques were part of Christopher Columbus's expedition to the Americas in 1492. In 1512, Spanish forces conquered much of Basque Country. However, the Spanish and Basques reached an agreement, and for the most part, Basque Country operated independently.
In 1519, Ferdinand Magellan set off on a voyage to the East Indies and several Basques formed his crew. Magellan was killed during the voyage, but his second-in-command was a Basque named Juan Sebastián Elcano. Elcano led the surviving crewmembers to complete the first circumnavigation of Earth.
A significant Basque population settled in the Americas as part of various expeditions. When the gold rush began in the mid-nineteenth century, many Basques moved west to join in the mining for the precious metal. Instead, they found that there was ample territory for sheepherding and ranch work. Most Basques in the area took up ranching, selling their products to miners and other nearby residents. They congregated in Nevada, turning it into the largest Basque population center outside of Europe. They also filled a void, greatly expanding sheepherding in the region.
In the 1930s, Spain became embroiled in civil war. The Basques supported the Spanish Republicans, who were defeated. The nationalist victors, led by Francisco Franco, banned Basque language and hampered Basque rights within Spain. After three decades of Spanish rule, a small army of Basques took up the name Basque Homeland and Liberty, and began fighting the occupying forces. Franco's dictatorship was decried among Spaniards and neighboring European countries, and the Basque resistance was praised by most pro-democracy governments. Franco died in 1975, but the resistance, still displeased with the treatment of Basque Country, continued to fight the Spanish government. Spanish and global perception of the Basques soured, while many Basques said that they only wanted independence.
Overview
The homeland of the Basque people, often referred to as Basque Country, is made up of about 8,000 square miles (20,719 square kilometers) of land, which is situated along the border of northeastern Spain and southwestern France. Basque Country has four provinces in Spain, and another three in France. The four Spanish provinces are Alava, Biscay, Gipuzkoa, and Navarre, while the three French provinces are Labourd, Lower Navarre, and Soule. Alava, Vizcaya, and Guipuzcoa are part of the Basque Autonomous Community, which Spain recognizes as a territory with its own governing body, presided over by its Basque population. Navarre is considered an autonomous community of its own, and its leaders have continually clashed with those of the Basque Autonomous Community, who would like to unify all four Spanish provinces.
The Basque language is distinct from other European languages and is believed to predate the Roman Empire. However, over centuries of communication with other European people, it has taken on elements of other languages. France and Spain have respectively declared French and Spanish as official languages of the Basque Country populations within their borders. In the mid-twentieth century, fluent Basque speakers had been on a steady decline, particularly under Franco's dictatorship. However, in the late twentieth century and into the twenty-first century, the language experienced favorable trends. Spain, allowing its status as an official language (alongside Spanish) following Franco's death, was a significant factor.
Many traditional Basque sports center on individual challenges, typically testing strength, speed, or endurance. Aizkora is a contest of lumber cutting, and victories can be measured by the fastest competitor or the one who used the fewest strokes. Harrijasotze involves competitors lifting massive stones, determining who can lift the greatest weight or who can lift a certain weight more times. Basques do have traditional team competitions as well. These include sokatira, or tug-of-war, and rowing competitions.
Perhaps the most popular sport invented by Basques is Basque Pelota. It is played on a walled court, typically between two individuals or pairs. There are several variants, but most involve opponents hitting a ball back and forth (often bouncing it off a wall) within a designated area, attempting to place it somewhere the other player cannot reach in time. Court size and equipment can vary, with different versions using racquets, bats, gloves, or bare hands to hit the ball. The sport has professional competitors on a global scale, and is managed by the International Federation of Basque Pelota.
Reflecting their fishing heritage, seafood plays an important role in traditional Basque cuisine. This includes cod, bream, hake, and squid. Lamb is also a popular dish. Adult Basques take part in an activity called txikiteos, which involves visiting multiple restaurants and bars, sampling tastes of wine known as txikitos and appetizers called pintxos. One tradition that started among American Basques before getting adopted by their European counterparts is Picon Punch. This strong alcoholic drink includes vodka, oranges, grenadine, and brandy.
Bibliography
"Ancient DNA Cracks Puzzle of Basque Origins." BBC, 7 Sept. 2015, www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-34175224. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
“Basque Population By State 2024.” World Population Review, 2024, worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/basque-population-by-state. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
"Basque Sports: A Hallmark of the Basque People." Bizkaia Talent, www.bizkaiatalent.eus/en/pais-vasco-te-espera/senas-de-identidad/deporte-vasco-identidad/. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
Kurlansky, Mark. The Basque History of the World. Walker & Company, 1999.
"Spain Profile – Timeline." BBC, 9 May 2017, www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17955805. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
"The Spanish Civil War." Don Quijote, www.donquijote.org/culture/spain/history/the-spanish-civil-war. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
“Who Are The Basques?” The Basque Museum and Cultural Center, basquemuseum.eus/visit/who-are-the-basques/. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.