The mythology Basque is the product of a whole evolution that starts from the beliefs and rites Basque prehistoric times to lead to a development and the influence of fairground elements and the incorporation of myths from other cultures (incidences of the conceptions of pastoral peoples, phase of Romanization and polytheistic contacts and cultures of antiquity) and suffering important changes from the expansion of the Catholic religion.
Basque beliefs and rites
Izena duen guztia omen da
Everything that has a name exists
Se dice que todo lo que tiene number exists Beliefs and rites since ancient times.
This is a complex theme which arises from mythical narratives and data provided by folklore, popular, ethnographic and linguistic traditions and customs. We must mention Jose Miguel de Barandiaran (master of a whole generation of archaeologists and ethnologists) and Julio Caro Varoja who have contributed greatly to the knowledge of Basque culture.
Among the geniuses and divinities of the earth, stands out MARI who is accompanied by a whole set of divinities who usually adopt an animal form.
The other important space is occupied by solar and lunar myths as well as the relationship with the sky. Some of these myths are present throughout the Basque Country, with local or regional variations.
A good part of these extend into other Pyrenean regions or are myths of a more important if not universal character which, here, have taken on a particular aspect.
To all this we must add the events of the souls of the ancestors, the rites and customs linked to domestic worship.
As pre-Christian mythology was well anchored, the introduction of Christianity required profound transformations.
Thus, legends explain that the coming from the East of a large luminous cloud (or a beautiful star) was the announcement of the birth of Kismi (Christ) and the end of the historical era of the Jentils (jentilak), beings to whom we attributed great physical and intellectual abilities but who were not Christians and who committed collective suicide by throwing themselves into gorges or by disappearing.
The term "Jentil" in the Basque language comes from the Latin "gentilis", identified as a concept of paganism by Christians. In many areas of the Basque Country, the names given to prehistoric monuments have a connection with the Jentil (implying that these, with their exceptional physical strength, were the builders).
Thus, Jentilbaratza (Jentil garden for cromlechs; Jentilarri or Jentiletxe (jentil stone or jentil house) with dolmens.
It is the same with certain caves, Jentilzulo, Jentilkoba (Jentil hole, Jentil cave) and natural rocky accidents Jentil-Zubi, Jentil-Leio (Jentil bridge, Jentil window).
In certain places, the construction of churches and chapels is linked to the disappearance of ancient beings, including the Jentils, divinities and spirits.
Despite everything, this new “religion” did not lead to the destruction of old beliefs. Many of them continued alive and others were readapted to suit Christian interpretations, passed down from generation to generation.
