Basque Narrative Literature: Ballads, Fables, and Novels
Narrative XIX. Mendera Art
Narrative
Prose is the form of language we use in everyday activities. Historically, listeners had greater confidence in oral tradition than in written records. In those times, stories were told using simple words, rhymes, and verses to aid memory.
Ballad
A ballad is a traditional story organized in a measured voice, often incorporating epic and lyrical elements. They recount life events and are often associated with older generations. Many ballads were collected in the 16th and 17th centuries. Some are well-known, while others exist only in fragments. Dialect variations are common within ballads.
Ballads typically use short words and a measured rhythm. They are rooted in oral tradition and employ repetition and exemplary measures while excluding unnecessary elements. Rhyme may also be used.
Other Forms of Narrative
Short Stories
During the 18th and early 19th centuries, short stories full of fantasy were popular. These stories often used animals to represent people and were written in both prose and verse. They served a moral and satirical purpose, aiming to teach and correct. The language used was simple and easy to understand.
Alegialariak (Fable Writers)
Alegialariak were writers who drew inspiration from classical Greek, Latin, Castilian, and French fables. Some notable Basque alegialarien and their sources include:
- Aesop (Greek)
- Phaedrus (Latin)
- Iriarte and Samaniego (Spanish)
- La Fontaine (French)
Matthew Zabala
Matthew Zabala was a monk and teacher who traveled from village to village as a preacher. He was also a writer and translator, authoring a couple of grammar books. He aimed to help readers learn to write and improvise texts more easily. One of his notable works is “Dialect Vizcaino’s Fables.”
Joan Batista Artxu
Joan Batista Artxu was a republican and school teacher who dedicated himself to teaching Basque to children. He studied Basque dialects and corresponded with Bonaparte. He aimed to translate and adapt La Fontaine’s fables into Basque, as evidenced by his works “The Fontaite” and “La Fontaine is berheziak.”
Agustin Iturriaga
Agustin Iturriaga was a priest and teacher who wrote in the Guipuzcoan dialect. During the 19th century, he expressed his opinions on the political conflicts in the Basque Country, criticizing the authorities and advocating for the tastes of the common people. He was concerned about bilingual education and wrote fables for young people. He believed that those who left the Basque Country and couldn’t speak Basque properly became objects of ridicule. Some of his works include “Games” and the song “St. Ignatius march.”
Juan Antonio Mogel
Juan Antonio Mogel was a priest who wrote about religion, Basque origins, philosophy, and other topics in both Basque and Castilian. He faced criticism for his work’s language and complexity but also received praise for its merit. His notable works include “Traditional India,” considered one of the best in Basque literature, and “Stories,” written in the Bizkaian dialect.
Vincent Antonio Mogel
Vincent Antonio Mogel was the first female writer in Basque literature. Her fables were written in a clear and entertaining style. She was encouraged to write by her uncle. One of her works is “Good Stories.”
Bible Storyteller
Bible storytellers explained significant episodes from the Sacred Books, often developing their own stories and prayers. They were skilled orators and writers, trained in preaching and sermon delivery. Their texts were rich in resources and carefully crafted in terms of content and delivery.
There are two main aspects to consider regarding Bible storytellers:
- Their storytelling style was similar to classical storytelling, designed for oral narration and incorporating features of oral narratives. They used various techniques to engage the audience and aid memory.
- Their content was not entirely original but rather a creative retelling of biblical passages, summarizing the most important and beautiful aspects of the stories.
Ignatius Lardizabala Francisco
Ignatius Lardizabala Francisco was a priest and a skilled storyteller and writer. He was praised for his ability to use prose effectively. His notable work “Testamentu Zarra and New Legend,” written in the Guipuzcoan dialect, was one of the most widely read Basque books in the 19th century. He also authored “Grammar Vascongada.”
Novel
A novel is a fictional narrative written in prose. It can be long or short and typically revolves around characters, places, and a plot. The novel gained importance in the late 19th century and continued to flourish in the 20th and 21st centuries, becoming a significant genre in Basque literature.
Basque novels explore various themes, including the passage of time, interpersonal relationships, philosophical reflections, and social conflicts. The golden age of the novel in Europe, known as Realism, influenced Basque literature as well.
Compared to Europe, the novel arrived relatively late in Basque literature. Some notable 19th-century Basque novels include “Traditional India” by Peter Adam and “Flower Auñemendiko” (also attributed to Peter Adam).
Maria Resurreccion Azkue
Maria Resurreccion Azkue was a priest and a prominent figure in the Basque language revival movement. He conducted extensive research on the Basque language, focusing on lexicography, grammar, and popular literature. His significant works include “Diccionario Vasco-Español-Frances” and “Morphology Vasca.”
While Azkue’s contributions to Basque linguistics are highly regarded, his work as a novelist has received mixed reviews. Some of his novels include “Once it is always,” known for its humor and depiction of customs, and “Sheep lost,” which explores religious themes.
Joan Batista Elizanburu
Joan Batista Elizanburu was a French army captain and a poet known for his tender and romantic style. His poems are still sung today. His notable works include “Young goes to die” and “Goodbye my people.”
Elizanburu also wrote prose, including the unfinished novel “Peter of Adam.” This novel has a unique structure, featuring a frame story within which the protagonist tells other stories. It can be considered a collection of stories written in the Lapurdian dialect.