Arroltze ta Xingar
In the past, it was the breakfast after the cattle care and before begining the work in the fields. The traditional “Arroltze ta Xingar” (eggs and breast of pork) is now again inevitable in Basque country when you have to eat quickly before going back to work… or to go party…
Besta Berri
God Day is the religious holiday celebration In the 16th century, these processions were threatened by the Spanish troops waging war on France, then, a century later, by the Béarn Protestants. Bask people in uniforms and armed got into the habit of escorting the processions. Later, in the 19th century, the uniforms changed a bit with the Napoleon’s army numerous stays Since then, a lot of villages have kept the tradition during the God-Day procession: axe-armed sappers, one captain, a troop of soldiers, spear-carriers and dagger-dancers defend God during the liturgical order.
Gaiteros
It is about the player of Gaita, this Navarrian instrument having a particular sound The geographical area of which does not exceed the frame of the Basque provinces, knows a real popular craze. Consisted of a body 35 cms coming from the region of Tudela in Navarre, Gaita produces a very rich sound in harmonious. Its name is from Arabic origin and is similar in the name of the instrument of the same type as we find in the countries of the Maghreb: Jaita Gaiteros is two generally, accompanied with Atabalari. The latter plays Atabal, drum with a very dry sound which gets married particularly well to the acute sound of Gaitas.
Joaldunak
Joaldun means litteraly “the one who carries bells” (Joaldunak in plural). He is a traditional Bask culture character, from Navarre vilages. He announces the Carnaval, ringing his bells (joareak), during the last week of January. The origin of the tradition is not known but the meaning is to wake up the nature after the winter. The members of Joaldunak are clothed with sheep skin on the shoulders and the waist, coloured (generally blue) scarf around the neck, conical hat with multicolored ribbons, horsehair and 2 bells on the back.
Joko Garbi
This game is mainly played in France in a free place pediment at least 50 meters long. The return of the ball as soon as it is received in the glove results in a quick and sharp play. It compares two teams of three players composed of two forwards and one back. In his variant on the short left wall, which has been developing for some 20 years, he contrasts two teams of two players (one front, one rear) The shape of the glove facilitates the reception, the blocking of the ball, the decomposition of the gesture and the possibility of taking its momentum for the return.
Kantuz
The songs (kantuz) are an institution in the Basque Country Simply browse through the streets or get into bars for noticing The Basque songs are a way to express emotions but also to share. Traditionally the basque feasts offer this moment of sharing where everyone can participate without having a well-fitted voice. A booklet distributed to each to find the lyrics, a group trained to conduct the tempo and the tone, and you are taken by the warm atmosphere of a public square resonant basque songs Do not hesitate, go through the first moments of timidity and participate in Hazparne Kantuz…
Makila
The makila walking stick consists of an engraved medlar wood shaft cut to a length to suit its owner, generally either hipbone or sternum-height. The bottom is often shod with steel or other metal and ends in a ferrule (blunt spike for traction) The handle is also often covered with metal or woven leather to form a hand-grip, with a lanyard attached to the bottom of this grip The stick is capped with a flattened knob or pommel, made of horn, steel, or bronze. The top portion consisting of the knob and hand-grip can be pulled off the top of the stick, revealing a hidden spike or blade, which effectively turns the stick into a short spear. The pommel’s shape is said to resemble the beret worn by the basque shepherd. Some makila are created for ceremonial purposes, often presented as gifts or awards to individuals. They are decorated with elaborate engravings and their metal parts are made of silver or gold.
Mutxiko
Mutxiko is a traditional dance of the Basque Country, a social dance that runs in a circle by following instructions sung at the microphone Since 20 years mutxiko is back in force in the Basque Country, it consists of a sequence of steps and changes of direction of rotation that require a good listen to the melody. The chest remains upright and arms dangling, a step always starts with the outside foot in the circle and the dance begins with the right foot Mutxiko does not require a great physical condition, everyone can learn to practice, even without prior knowledge, practice is friendly and lively… Do not miss this opportunity…
Patxaran
Patxaran (Basque pronunciation: [patʃaɾan]) (Basque from paitar, pattar “liquor” and aran “sloe” is a sloe-flavoured liqueur commonly drunk in Navarre and the Basque Country, the Pyrenees and in Spain It is usually served as a digestif either chilled or on ice. Patxaran is made by soaking sloe fruits, collected from the blackthorn shrub, along with a few coffee beans and a cinnamon pod in anisette, for one to eight months. The process produces a light sweet reddish-brown liquid around 25-30% in alcohol content by volume In addition to dictating the amount of sloes to be used, the regulating body for Pacharán Navarro insists that no colourings or flavourings be added and that the maceration last between one and eight months. Vers le milieu du XXe siècle, les entreprises de fabrique et mise en bouteilles déjà existantes se développent et d’autres naissent. Les installations se modernisent avec des techniques d’avant-garde permettant d’augmenter la production sans diminuer la nature ni la manière de macérer.
Rebot
Rebot is an open air sport. It takes place on a flat fronton (about 100 meters long and 17 to 20 meters large). Two teams of 5 players are opposed. They face each other part to part of a line drawn at 35 meters of the rebot wall. The two sides are unequal. The players wear a specific equipment: a little chistera (joko garbi) or a leather glove (pasaka). They have to prevent the opponents to score. The game is composed of 13 sets and the count of the points (15, 30, 40 and set) is nearly the same for tennis. Traditionally debuting on Sunday mornings, about 10.30 AM, the game is only interrupted by the Angelus and a moment of reverence, then continues sometimes late in the afternoon.
Taloa
The “Talo” (taloak in plural) is a pancake composed of corn flour and water In Basque Country, you can easily find it t is served with “lomo” (marinated pork fillet), “xistorra” (red sausage with Espelette red chilli), ventrèche (xingar, breast ok pork) or sheep’s cheese.
A retrouver toute l’année, le midi chez Pizzas Pat
Toro de Fuego
The Toro de Fuego is a bull of cardboard or wood carried by a strong man through the crowd and send fireworks, to the delight of children and adults The roots of this tradition ? Maybe a ruse of war dating back to a time when it was actually animals that were used. The horns of bulls were coated with pitch or resin and then were inflamed, in order to send the cattle on the enemy. However, there is no confirmation of this version of the facts, and some historians see this tradition simply the opportunity to combine a bullfighting game with fireworks. The Toro de Fuego still nowadays a classic of our holidays and especially those of our children.
Txalaparta
The txalaparta is an instrument made up of one or more thick wooden boards that is played by two people. The players, called Txalapartariak, use short wooden sticks about 20 inches long and an inch and a half in diameter to hit the boards following a set of rules for rhythm. Music is made by having one or more performers produce differing rhythms, playing with wood knots and spots of the boards for different tones Historically it is believed that the txalaparta was used as a means of communication between remote farms There would have been a special rhythm used to signal that cider was ready, or that a death had occurred, for example. Today, though, it is used more as a musical instrument. Après être tombé longtemps dans l’oubli, cet instrument connaît aujourd’hui un spectaculaire regain d’intérêt.
Txarangas
Txarangas are musical groups which have for vocation to to lead feasts and parties on the rhythms and the themes of the southwest even of the Basque Country Txarangas consists of a consequent number of musicians who roam in streets We also can appeller Bandas, but call thus Txarangas, it is much better … You will be ” in the blow “…
Xare
Xare is racquet sport, a form of Basque pelota Equipment includes a racquet and a ball The ball is very hard, and covered in parchment. The game is played in a special indoor court, called a trinquete. For xare, a net is strung across the middle of the trinquete, and the players face each other, as in tennis. Xare players wear helmets that are similar to those used in cycling. Cette spécialité fut pratiquée à l’origine par les religieux basques qui l’exportèrent en Argentine. Une partie oppose deux équipes de deux joueurs, et se joue seulement en trinquet.