The background and origins of the Basque people are hidden
in history, so it is very hard to describe them. They come from the beautiful
Pyrenees Mountains of southwestern France and Northern Spain. The border
between Spain and France runs right through the center of the Basque region, so
while all Basques identify primarily with their unique culture, some are French
and some are Spanish. The Basques are a very old culture, thought to be one of
the original European cultures. While they were a nation at one time, they are
a nation no more. They do not even have a homeland of their own. Their land is
very hilly which has allowed them to be very isolated from the rest of Europe. The people are unique in that they have lived
in this region since about 200 B.C. They speak a language completely unique to themselves
called Euskara. Euskara has no relationship whatsoever to any language on the European
continent.
The Basque people have a very interesting story of their
origin. They claim that a grandson of Noah, Tubal, came to Europe before the
tower of Babel was built. He brought with them the original language spoken by
Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The Basques still speak it to this day.
Basques have a fierce Ethnic pride and are known to be ferocious in battle.
Legend has it that when Napoleon’s soldiers invaded Spain in the early 1800’s they shuttered
when they heard the battle cry of the Basques, “Irrinzi!” and would cower and
run.
The first Basque Immigrants to American came in the 1400’s
as sailors. The largest ethnic contingent of sailors on Columbus’ ship is
thought to be Basque. Basques settled in
cattle raising areas in Idaho and Nevada. Most Basque meals are served family
style and most meals consisted of many courses of soup, rice, beans, cod, and
innards. Some famous Bascos you might know of are St. Ignatius of Loyola (Saint and founder of the Jesuit Order),
Leopold Eyharts (astronaut), and Xabi Alonso (soccer player).
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