FOLK STORIES

[jose]

3.Folk stories

Basajaun or Baxajaun is the lord of the forest, a character of Basque mythology of prodigious size and strength. It lives in forests and caves. It has a human form, his body covered with hair and a very long mane. One foot is circular, as the hoof of a calf.

Far from being aggressive is the protecting genius of the sheep and they indicate their presence with a unanimous shaking cowbells. When a storm is approaching or wolves, giving shouts and whistles on the mountain to warn the pastors.

Basajaun sometimes appears in the accounts as a terrifying genius of colossal forces, while others appear as the first farmer which men learned through a scheme to cultivate wheat.

Along with Tartalo and the Gentiles (or Jentil), is part of the mountain giants in Basque mythology.

They are usually depicted as positive by warning whistles when approaching storm and watching the herds at night so that ministers can sleep peacefully. In return, as a tribute Basajaun receive a piece of bread which collect while the shepherds are sleeping.

In the beginning, the Basajaun were the keepers of the secrets of architecture, agriculture, blacksmithing and a sedentary lifestyle, and was the civilizing Martintxiki or San Martin who were snatched by the secret tricks to divulge it to mankind.

This mythological creature also exists in mythology Aragon Tena valleys, Anso and Broto, where it receives the names of Basajarau, Bonjarau or Bosnerau.

[Lucy (tutor)]

Hello Jose,

This is very interesting. Thanks for posting your answers here!