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Fundraising by the Joaldunak of Ituren. Author: Josu Larrinaga Zugadi.
Until 1936, during Carnival Tuesday in Lazkao, the town council attended mass, preceded by a procession of dantzaris (dancers) dressed in white. Each of them carried a broom, pretending to sweep the path. Upon arriving at the town hall, they formed a traditional bridge dedicated to the authorities with these unique implements. This same act of clearing the path can be observed in the Zuberoa masquerades, specifically in the action performed by the Txerrero (pig keeper), at the head of the aitzindariak (5 best dancers of the Masquerade); he leads the procession, walking from one side to the other, while shaking a strange horsehair broom on the ground. However, in the begging or the collection of remains carried out by the txantxoak (dancers from the red team) from Abaltzisketa, the image of a sweeper mozorro also appears, a character who goes before the group and cleans the space where the makil dantza (basque traditional dance) will be danced.
Kabalkadak (parade) in Itsasu (Lapurdi). Author: Emilio Xabier Dueñas.
The year will end as it began: among sweets and alcohol, among gala and formal wear, among confetti and streamers… and, if possible, with red underwear. Of course, there will be no shortage of those costumes and masks common during Carnival, Saint Joanes, town festivals, Halloween, the Winter Solstice or all kinds of private celebrations (friends, farewell parties, schools, etc.).
Llanteno. Author: Josu Larrinaga Zugadi.
The season of ‘Aratusteak’ (carnival) is approaching. This is the term used to designate the Carnival of Enkarterri province, in Biscay. From this general name derives one of the most special events of the Enkarterri: the meeting of students on Fat Thursday (later moved to Shrove Tuesday), known as Aratuste. It remained silent or disappeared during the military rebellion, the subsequent war and Franco’s dictatorship. This gathering of children, as in the rest of the country, took place on Thursday (known as Fat Thursday, ‘Egun Zuri’ or ‘Egun ttun ttun’, and began from school, under the direction or supervision of the local teacher; they all wandered around the outskirts of the village, begging. (more…)
Koko-marruak from Eibar dancing during the collection (2014). (Photo: E. X. Dueñas)
One of the formulas for making our presence noticeable in public, in a vindictive way, is to make noise and the stronger the better. As a fact, we observe and hear incessantly, directly or indirectly, pots, whistles, megaphones, etc., for various purposes, going from the claim of political action, to the expression of a matter of work. (more…)
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