I.

Introduction

Basques, people living in north central Spain, primarily in two autonomous regions, the Basque Country (País Vasco) and Navarra, and in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department of southwestern France.

The origin of the Basques has long been a subject of scholarly research. Although possessing certain marked physical traits, the Basques are not considered a distinct race by most modern ethnologists. Their ancient language, customs, and traditions, however, distinguish them from all other peoples of Europe. Attempts have been made by various scholars to link the Basque language with a number of non-Indo-European languages, but such connections are not accepted by the majority of linguists. See Basque Language.

II.

Characteristics

Among the outstanding characteristics of the Basques are their independent spirit, love of freedom, and respect for individual liberty; a favorite Basque motto is “Neither slave nor tyrant.” These qualities are reflected in their ancient laws (called fors in France and fueros in Spain), which traditionally governed every area of their lives and were strictly adhered to. These laws were maintained by democratically elected assemblies (juntas), and great care was taken to secure honesty at the polls. It was not uncommon for a fisherman to preside over meetings in which Spanish noblemen were seated.

The law of primogeniture, of great importance to the Basque people, gave permanence to the family structure. The importance of the family is reflected to some extent in the appearance of most Basque homesteads, which differ markedly from the one-story house of the average French and Spanish farmer. The typical Basque house has an air of dignity and stability; its site includes a garden, vineyard, pasture, and woodland.

The Basques are devout Roman Catholics and have fought to prevent domination of their religious institutions by French and Spanish ecclesiastical authorities. Notable religious figures of Basque origin include St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Order of the Jesuits, and the Jesuit missionary St. Francis Xavier. The Basques have retained many religious customs dating from medieval times. Among the most colorful are the Procession of the Crosses and the Corpus Christi processions. The latter are especially interesting because of the national dances performed.

Dancing and games play an important part in the lives of the Basque people, who are especially fond of a strenuous game known as jai alai. They still preserve part of their ancient costume, notably the beret (boina), a blue or red cap.

Many Basques have immigrated to America. It is estimated that about 250,000 Basques live in South America and about 70,000 live in the United States. Most of those in the United States are employed as shepherds in California, Nevada, and Wyoming.

III.

History

The Basques first appeared in written history late in the 1st century bc, when they successfully withstood the Roman invaders of Spain. They maintained their independence throughout the period of Roman rule of the Iberian Peninsula. The Basques adopted Christianity between the 3rd and 5th centuries. In the 6th century they fought fiercely and successfully against the Visigoths. Late in the 6th century groups of Spanish Basques migrated northward across the Pyrenees to Aquitania, which thereafter was known as Gascony. Those who remained in Spain withstood the Moors, who dominated most of the peninsula from the 8th to the 11th century. The Spanish Basques preserved their tradition of autonomy throughout the Middle Ages. Vizcaya, one of the provinces, was independent from 1093 until 1350. Not until 1370 was it definitely part of the kingdom of Castile, to which Guipúzcoa had been united in 1200 and Álava in 1332.

When a Spanish kingdom was established late in the 15th century, the Basque provinces preserved their customs, laws, and diplomatic relations with other countries with slight variation until 1876, when the provinces were absorbed by Spain. During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), an autonomous Basque state was established by the Republican government, but the victory of the Nationalists under General Francisco Franco ended this regime. Agitation for reestablishment of Basque autonomy arose during the next three decades. The separatist movement grew dramatically in the 1970s, and many violent incidents occurred. Between 1979 and 1983 the Spanish government granted limited autonomy, including an elected parliament, to the Basque Country and 16 other autonomous regions.

In July 1997 a new wave of violence began when a Basque separatist group known as the ETA (Euskadi Ta Askatasuna, Basque for Basque Homeland and Liberty) killed a young town councilor who was a member of Spain’s ruling political party. Millions of people throughout Spain marched in protest against the ETA’s violent tactics.

In early December 1997, 23 leaders of Herri Batasuna, the political party affiliated with the ETA, were sentenced to seven years in prison for collaborating with the terrorists by showing ETA members in a campaign video. Human rights organizations criticized the trial for its questionable charges. The sentences prompted more ETA assassinations, which continued in 1998. Most of the killings targeted politicians who were members of Spain’s ruling party, which refused to negotiate with the ETA.

Tensions flared again in early 1999 when Spanish and French authorities arrested about 20 suspected ETA members and raided Herri Batasuna headquarters in San Sebastián. In May, the Spanish government held its first talks with the ETA, but nothing resulted from the discussions and ETA violence continued.

In March 2004 the worst terrorist attack in Spain’s history killed 192 people and injured about 1,500 others. The Spanish government immediately blamed the ETA, but the charge rebounded against the ruling Popular Party after Spanish authorities discovered evidence pointing to al-Qaeda rather than the ETA. In parliamentary elections four days after the attack, Spanish voters ousted the Popular Party and replaced it with the Socialist Workers’ Party.

Two years later, in March 2006, the ETA announced a permanent cease-fire. The group pledged to use the political process rather than violence to achieve its goal of Basque independence.