Category Archives: Uncategorized

More Than Sheepherders by Joxe Mallea-Olaetxe and Jess Lopategui

I recently interviewed Joxe Mallea-Olaetxe about his research studying the Basques of the American West, particularly the arboglyphs herders left on the aspens in the mountains. He is out with a new book focusing on the Basques of Nevada, specifically Elko. With assistance from Jess Lopategui, this book explores the role Basque immigrants had in […]

Children of Guernica: A Film Project by Begoña Echeverria et al

Dr. Begoña Echeverria has reached out to share news about her new project, CHILDREN OF GUERNICA a film by herself, Annika Speer, and Jacqueline Postajian. You may recall that I interviewed Begoña and Annika about their play, Picasso Presents Gernika. Please see her note below. “Many of you were supportive of my play Picasso Presents […]

AITA, an unfortunate acronym

When our daughter was born, we decided that she would call me aita, and she does, which I think is supercool. It sometimes causes a bit of confusion, as some of her friends think that’s my actual name, it being so foreign to their ears. But I wouldn’t give it up for the world. However, […]

The Ancient Basque Sport of Qub

I randomly bumped into this searching for something else. I’m not sure whether to laugh or take (mild) offense at this. Maybe we should revive this ancient game…? This originally appeared in L’Apres-Midi d’un Fan by Roger Angell in the October 17, 1964 issue of The New Yorker. An archive of the issue can be […]

Back to normal… I hope!

I think I’ve gotten things working normally again. Hopefully there will be no more glitches for the foreseeable future. If you see anything odd, please tell me. Best, Blas

Basque Fact of the Week: Juan de Oñate, the First Governor of New Mexico, was Basque

We are all familiar with the wave of Basque migration that brought sheepherders to the American West, and rightfully so given the close connection many of us have with those immigrants. However, the American Southwest is literally littered with Basque names from centuries earlier, when Basques were a large part of the conquistadors that swept […]

Juan Uberuaga, the Lion of Oiz

In a recent post, I mentioned my dad’s uncle, Juan Uberuaga, who was renown for his strength. He was called “Oizko Lehoia,” or the Lion of Oiz, the mountain peak very near Munitibar. I was recently in the Basque Country and had dinner with his son, who had seen my post, and provided me with […]

Basque Halloween Joke

As sent to me by Tristan Marciano: Question:  What do you get when you cross Halloween with a wholesale club discount store? Answer: A scary Costco! (Eskerrik asko!)