Basque

Basque

identity

Basque identity is deeply rooted in tradition, language and everyday life — and there’s no better way to experience it than alongside a local. With BaskMe, we create personalized, private experiences that help you truly understand the culture, people and stories of the Basque Country.

 

The origin of the Basque people has been shrouded in mystery. There are few people on the face of the earth of whose origin so little is known, and who have exercised such a fascination over ethnologists and philologists of every nationality.

Many different names have been used for the people who, as Voltaire said, sing and dance on both sides of the Pyrenees. Over time, the term Vasco has become our name in Spanish, becoming Basque both in French and English and the equivalent of Basque in virtually all languages of the world. However, we have traditionally called ourselves Euskaldunak, literally those who possess the Basque language, and we have named our country Euskal Herria, the country where Basque is spoken, regardless of whether we have been subjects or citizens of one country or another throughout history.

‘Lingua Navarrorum’

Euskara, the language of the Basques, is a pre-Indo European language and has consequently existed for several thousands of years, a valuable part of Basque heritage and the singularly most unique part of Basque identity. The Basque language is a linguistic and historical enigma. Its roots are unknown because it is not related to any other language spoken today.

The admirable continuity of Euskara over the centuries remains unexplained by historians. The first written words in Basque were found in some Pyrenean funeral stelae or headstones dating from the 1st century AD. The oldest conjugated sentences are from the 10th century and the first publication in Basque only began in 1545, with a collection of erotic poems. In the present day, the number of people who speak Basque is around 900.000 (around 30% of the population) and rising. Of these, the big majority live in Spain predominantly on the Northern Atlantic coast, and the rest live in South-West France. There are also pockets of Basque speakers in Latin America and in North America.

Basque Identity and the Land of Euskal Herria

Historically, Basque identity is deeply connected to the land known as Euskal Herria, a territory traditionally made up of seven provinces. On the southern side, within Spain, you’ll find Araba, Bizkaia, Gipuzkoa and Navarra. To the north, across the border in France, lie Lapurdi, Nafarroa Beherea and Zuberoa.

Together, these provinces form a region of around 20,000 square kilometers, stretching from the western edge of the Pyrenees to the Bay of Biscay. Despite its relatively small size, the Basque Country offers an extraordinary diversity of landscapes.

Along the coast, a temperate Atlantic climate shapes fishing towns, cliffs and natural harbors. Moving inland, rolling hills give way to narrow river valleys, while the western Pyrenees rise into rugged mountains where alpine conditions can still be found. In the south, the landscape opens into broader plains with more continental and Mediterranean influences, creating noticeable seasonal contrasts.

An Ancient People with a Unique Heritage

The Basques are often described as one of Europe’s oldest peoples. According to many scholars, they were already present in this part of Europe when Cro-Magnon populations arrived, long before modern national borders existed. This deep historical continuity has shaped a culture that feels remarkably distinct within Europe.

Genetic studies also suggest notable differences between Basques and their Spanish and French neighbors, likely shaped by centuries of relative isolation in this mountainous region. Geography played a key role here: the Pyrenees and rugged inland landscapes helped preserve traditions, social structures and ways of life that evolved largely independently.

Basque heritage is deeply rooted in community life, oral traditions, gastronomy and rural customs helping to preserve a society that feels both ancient and vibrant, a living culture that visitors can still experience firsthand.

Come and discover the Basque Country with us!

Private & Custom tours from San Sebastian and Bilbao

Welcome! – Ongi Etorri!

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