Basque rural sports: a showcase for tradition

Basque rural sports, also known as herri-kirolak, are farm and sea-life derived sport disciplines that defy force, ability and resistance. 

From the zeal of rurality

The farmhouse serves as the cornerstone of traditional Basque society, and many of the customs that shape our collective imagination have their roots in the farmhouse environment. The daily practices of this way of life have developed into a range of sporting spectacles and are undoubtedly amongst the most prominent symbols of our cultural heritage. Similarly, the major rowing races that take place today have their roots in historic whaling activities from several centuries ago. While some rural sports originate from the working world of traditional Basque society, others have developed outside the farmstead, such as Basque pelota.

Some of the sports that originated in the Basque Country have come a long way in different parts of the world, and rural sports that enjoyed a certain reputation in the nineteenth century have undergone various changes and developments. In general, these sporting events showcase strength in some form, and qualities such as endurance, stamina, talent and physical and mental ability are essential.

In terms of organisation and dynamics, some events have evolved into highly competitive disciplines, such as Basque pelota. The world of Basque rural sport has become increasingly professionalised, with the creation of Basque rural sports federations, several of which belong to international organisations. Today, there are 20 officially recognised types of Basque rural sports. There are also recreational sport activities designed for socialising and fostering a festive atmosphere, such as tug-of-war (sokatira), sack races, and corn cob picking.

Trainera races, the maritime legacy

The origins of these races can be traced back to maritime activities, where fishermen relied on both arm strength and the wind to navigate back to port and sell their catch. This is how the competition between fishing boats began. The current trainera rowing boats are a modern evolution of the vessels used for whaling and were also employed in inshore fishing in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Until 1990, the boats were traditionally made of wood, later replaced by modern carbon fibre materials. It is a highly regulated sport that combines multiple disciplines and features several different categories. The crew consists of 13 rowers and a coxswain who sets the course. The most important competition is the Bandera de la Concha, held in San Sebastián.  

Aizkolaritza, chopping through history

Aizkolaritza, or woodchopping, one of the best known rural Basque sports, consists of cutting a set number of logs as quickly as possible. The sport originated in the Middle Ages and evolved from the activities of woodworkers and charcoal burners, who collected raw materials needed for building. Bets between the woodchoppers, or aizkolaris, and charcoal burners of that time continue to this day. The activity has two main phases: first, the surface cut made with two initial strikes, and second, the cut that penetrates into the inside of the trunk. In recent years, women and young people have embraced the sport, even though it was traditionally seen as a discipline primarily associated with men for many years. The wood used in aizkolaritza competitions is beech, as Basque beech has traditionally been the most common species in the nearby mountains. It also has the ideal qualities for axe cutting.

Harri-jasoketa, from mountain boulders to town square rivalries

Harri-jasoketa, or stone lifting, involves lifting a stone of a designated weight and shape from the ground up to shoulder height. Although there is little documentary evidence of its origins, it is likely that this sport evolved from the practice of lifting boulders from mountains. By the twentieth century, competitions were being held in town squares, with the public demanding standardised rules for the weight and shape of the stones. Consequently, the previously irregular stones were given four classic geometric shapes: cylinder, cube, sphere and rectangle. In Basque rural sports, there are two types of stone lifts: non-simultaneous lifts and lifts by bet. In lifts by bet, the goal is either to lift the stone the most times or to lift the heaviest stone.

Sokatira, a timeless Olympic tug

Sokatira has been around since time immemorial. Today this form of tug-of-war is recognised and practiced across a wide geographical area. This is a team event where each team tries to pull the opposing team across a line by holding onto opposite ends of a rope. The competition rules are as follows: each team is made up of eight people and can compete in either the free weight category or a designated weight category. Although the sport has traditionally been played on fronton courts and in village squares, the most widespread form is played on grass. Currently, the number of officially registered players varies greatly, mainly due to the instability of sokatira clubs. 

Sega, masters of meadow

The object of the game is to cut as much grass as possible in a set time using a scythe. While competitions were once primarily organised through betting in the twentieth century, today, regulated championships have become the predominant form. First, a flat meadow in a village with a tradition of scything must be selected. Competitors are judged based on who can cut the most kilograms of grass in one hour. Typically, they are accompanied by friends who stomp the grass to help it lie flat, all under the watchful eye of the judge.