The clothing a person chooses to wear can say a lot about their personality, as it reflects their tastes, values, mood, and even their cultural or social identity. In the case of traditional Basque dances, the attire worn during these dances reflects Basque traditions. It varies depending on the dance, but some common elements include:
Women’s attire:
- A long skirt reaching the ankles
- An apron, 10 cm shorter than the skirt
- A headscarf
- Petticoats
- A shawl to cover the back
- White stockings and espadrilles (typical Basque shoes with jute soles)
Men’s attire:
- A white shirt and black or white pants
- A vest
- A neckerchief
- A txapela (Basque beret)
- A gerriko (a long strip of fabric wrapped around the waist)
In the United States, there was significant Basque emigration, especially during the 19th and 20th centuries. These communities brought their customs with them, including traditional dances and their typical clothing. Traditional dances became an important way to preserve cultural identity in these emigrant communities. Basque dance groups began to form, especially in places like Boise, Idaho, where events such as Jaialdi, a festival honoring Basque culture, are still celebrated. In the state of Nevada, at the University of Reno, various talks have been given about traditional Basque clothing.
Today, traditional Basque costumes are typically worn at events such as inaugurations, award ceremonies, weddings, local festivals, and similar occasions. For these events, the finest clothing is always used. Although in the past this attire was part of everyday life in rural areas, its use today has been reserved for special occasions, where it symbolizes Basque cultural pride and identity. For example, throughout the year, the costume is worn on various dates such as the eve of Saint Agatha in February, during the Euskal Jaiak, on Saint Thomas Day, and Christmas Eve in December, among others.
Every autumn, various workshops are held on how to make traditional costumes, as well as exhibitions. In Renteria (Gipuzkoa, Basque Country), for instance, there is the Costume Museum, which offers visitors an opportunity to learn about the evolution of fashion from the 18th to the 20th century. All this thanks to the work of Iraultza Dantza Taldea, which has studied Basque dress for 20 years, seeking information in photographic archives, documents and publications and examining original clothing. In order to explain each costume and its time, the fashion of the day in Europe was studied.
In my personal case, I have been teaching courses on traditional Basque clothing for the past 17 years. In these courses, new costumes are made, or older ones are repurposed, breathing new life into garments that have become too small by making modifications. These courses are very important, especially for ensuring the continuation of our Basque culture, passing down our cultural heritage to future generations. Grandmothers, mothers, and young people attend these courses, and they, in turn, pass on what they have learned to their grandchildren, children, and friends, keeping our ancient traditions alive.
References
- Albisu Uriarte, A. (2006). Atondu – XXI. Menderako Proposamena. Elkar.
Higher Technician in Custom-Made Clothing and Costume Design for Performances.
Experienced seamstress with 46 years in the profession.