No doubt we will be making countless references to our Basque ancestry in the future so we thought we should provide a very brief explanation on the Basque culture in America for those that are not familiar.

The Basques are thought to be the oldest ethnic group in Europe going back to pre Indo-European populations who arrived on the continent more than five thousand years ago.   The language is unlike any other and studies cannot tie its roots back to any other.  

The Basque Country or “Euskal Herria” is made up of 7 regions, four of which are in Spain and three of which are in France.  Although encompassing two different countries, the “Basque Country” looks at themselves as uniquely one.  For this reason, when traveling to the area one might see graffiti in the form of “4 + 3 = 1”.  The area resides in the Pyrenees region of southern France and northern Spain. 

Along with many other populations from western Europe, some Basque people also embarked on a journey to America in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries to seek out employment and a better life.  For employment, most Basque immigrants became sheepherders in the western United States.  With this profession being already deeply ingrained in their culture, it was a somewhat easy transition.  Motivated by economics, it is said that around fifty thousand individuals (mostly young men) migrated to the U.S. during this time frame with the vast majority settling in California, Nevada, Colorado, Oregon, Idaho and Wyoming.

With many already having substantial sheepherding skills, and with the sheep ranching industry expanding rapidly at the time, these new immigrants found plenty of opportunities for work.  Although somewhat similar in geography, these Basque sheepherders had to adapt their traditional techniques and knowledge to their new environment.  Their methods and techniques showed them to be exceptional in the management of sheep for not many could do what they could.  Even if one had the sheep management skills that the Basques had, not many had the endurance needed.  These sheepherders spent long hours performing physical labor alone in the rugged landscapes of the American West to tend their herds.  In forested areas of the west, sometimes one can still see the markings on an Aspen tree from a Basque sheepherder 100 years ago. The loneliness of being isolated for long periods of time was balanced out by the Basque communities which were formed around the sheep ranches.  Boarding houses were built where the sheepherders would stay when not tending to their flock.  The boarding houses would include meals along with accommodations bringing a sense of “home” to each individual.  These establishments were obviously very important as that is where the Basque immigrants could be in a familiar environment which included the use of the native tongue and of course food.  Although no longer in use for accommodations, some of these locations still exist and house Basque restaurants serving food the same way they did for the sheepherders.  These restaurants usually have long benches or tables where everyone sits together and eats “family style”.  It is quite the experience and if you ever find yourself in an old Basque community in Idaho, California or Nevada we highly recommend you check one out.  It’s a lesson in history and a lesson in good food.

The American experience for the Basque immigrant was one of perseverance and hard work.  Although they assimilated with American life, they never gave up their culture and that is still present in many towns in the western U.S. who still have local Basque clubs and host annual festivals.  These festivals, often referred to as a “picnic”, celebrate the culture to include traditional Basque dances, music, handball (pelota) and of course cuisine which usually consists of locally sourced lamb.   

Using data from the 2000 census, it is estimated that there are approximately 58,000 people living in the United States who claim Basque descent. Although there are many arguments to the accuracy and how that number can be calculated, the statistic reveals that there are not many out there. Knowing that their culture is still persevering shows the strong sense of tradition that they have…or perhaps it is just their stubbornness to not go away. 

The Basque history is somewhat complicated and has so much rich history.  If interested in learning more, we highly recommend Mark Kurlansky’s great book, “The Basque History of the World: The Story of a Nation”.