BASQUE MYTHOLOGY

• Around Goierri there are many places linked to mythology and various legends.

• Furthermore, in some places amateur acteurs (people from their own village) act in an Open Air theatre where they perform legends and different myths. For example, Mariren jaitsiera in Beasain and one of the best ones, Jentilen etorrera, in Ataun.

• There’s an interesting museum in Ataun about this; Barandiaran Museoa. He was an important Basque anthropologist.

Joxe Migel Barandiaran

MAIN MYTHOLOGICAL

CHARACTERS

MARI

TXINDOKI this is one of Mari’s dwellings. It is said that she goes from Txindoki to Murumendi (another mountain) flying as a ball of fire or lightning.

She is the main character in Basque Mythology. She is the symbol of mother earth.

ORTZIHe is the sky god. Opposite to Mari; she lives below and he lives above.

Lamiak: deceiving female creatures who lived near rivers...

There are also some other popular characters such as...

Sorginak (witches)

And...

JENTILAKIt’s the word used to name Basque people before

christianity and it means they are pagan.

BASAJAUNThe lord of the woods. A very strong character. He can predict the weather and he

protects shepherds’ sheep flocks.

TARTALO

He is an enormously strong one-eyed giant very similar to the Greco-Roman Cyclops. He lives in

caves and catches young children to eat.

There is a Basque old saying that goes:

“Izena duen guztia omen da.”“Direnik ez da sinistu behar, ez direla ez da esan behar.”

Whatever or whoever has a name exists. You don’t have to believe they exist, but you cannot say that they don’t.

Eguzki lorea (sunflower): the symbol for the sun and daylight. Used to protect us from the evil and witches.