Basque ethnography at a glance

Car decorated on Saint Christopher’s Day. Source: Labayru Fundazioa Photographic Archive.

Guilds are associations created in the Middle Ages. Originally, they were religious associations, where people of the same profession or activity met, although scales or categories were established within them.

In our towns, today, the guilds no longer have this structure, and all those who work in the same profession are grouped under this denomination. They had a patron saint and used to organize diverse activities on the day corresponding to their saint.

Depending on the professions that abound in a town, some guild festivals are celebrated there, with greater or lesser enthusiasm, according to their age and roots. The workers of different companies, even if others employed them, used to honour their respective patron.

In Bizkaia, I will mention some festivals in the city of Gernika-Lumo; as some of them are still held. I will describe them in chronological order.

On March 19, during Saint Joseph Day carpenters and builders or masons usually gather in the town’s restaurants in honour of their patron saint. The great lumber company Toña y Leguineche S.L. used to organize a celebration on the day of Saint Ignatius, on July 31, having lunch in the current parking lot of the beach of Laida (Ibarrangelu).

On July 10, the day of Saint Christopher, mechanical workshop workers, drivers and taxi drivers met to have a drink in local bars. On October 25, the shoemaker’s guild celebrated Saint Crispin (and Crispinian). On November 11, Saint Martin Day, blacksmiths and metallurgical companies celebrated their day with a lunch.

Seamstresses in Gernika celebrating Saint Lucy’s Day, 1966. Source: Rosa Mari Mintegi.

In addition to these, there are three other celebrations with strong roots: the 1st of December is the day of Saint Eligius, patron saint of silversmiths and goldsmiths. In Gernika, there were three large cutlery factories, where many Gernikarras worked; each family had a member or relative working there. In addition to the lunch, the company owners rented a cinema and projected a film, giving away tickets to those who received it. A cycling race was also organized.

Something similar happened with Saint Barbara on December 4. She was the patron saint of a large arms factory, closed today. This saint had a niche in Artekale (no longer existing), and different events were celebrated in front of her. In the 60s, they celebrated bicycle and motorcycle races, a lunch on the Pasealeku (parade) and a romeria. There is an image of the saint in the niche to the right of the door of the parish church of Mary.

On the 13th of December, Saint Lucia day, many tailors gather to eat or dine in restaurants.

In all these celebrations, the mass used to be celebrated in the morning, so that everyone who wanted could attend.

Segundo Oar-Arteta — Labayru Fundazioa