Sorginak
Encyclopedia
Sorginak are the assistants of the goddess Mari
in Basque mythology
. It is also the Basque name for witches or pagan priestesses (though they could also be male), being difficult to discern between the mythological and real ones.
Sometimes sorginak are confused with lamiak (similar to nymphs). Along with them, and specially with Jentilak, sorginak are said often to have built the local megalith
s.
Sorginak, like other European witches, used to participate in the sabbat
, called akelarre locally. These mysteries happened on Friday nights, when Mari and Sugaar
are said to meet in the locally sacred cave to engender storms.
Sorginak also chant the following:
We aren't, we are indeed,
Fourteen thousand here we are
Other variants of this song are also known.
Sorginak often are said to transform themselves in animals, most commonly cats. These cats are sometimes said to bother pious women that do not wish to go the akelarre. It has also been recorded that they collected monetary fines from the people that did not wish to go to their ecstatic gatherings or those witches that absented themselves from them.
Inquisitorial documents describe horrific practices of witches, like eating children or poisonings. But popular legends do not speak of these practices, instead mentioning kissing "the devil's arse" or an animal's genitals, occasional poisoning of crops, bothering modest women (in the shape of cats or other animals) and anointing their bodies with some product (possibly based on stramonium
or other psychoactive plant) to "fly" to and from the akelarre and perform other supposed feats.
This changes radically in the 16th and 17th centuries with the establishment of the Spanish Inquisition
and the pan-European witch panic that plagued the Early Modern Age
. Since annexed to Castile in 1512-21, Navarre (and to a lesser extent areas of the Basque Country) suffered numerous inquisitorial processes, against Jews and Muslims but also against native Basque sorginak. Particularly important was the 1610 process of Logroño that focused on the akelarre of Zugarramurdi
. It ended with 12 women burnt at the stake (five of them symbolically, as they had died under the tortures inflicted in the process) and shattered Pyrenean Navarre.
The previous year, in 1609, French judge Pierre de Lancre
had initiated a massive process in Labourd, under the conviction that most Basques were witches. He was eventually displaced but not without causing many deaths and much suffering.
there are many places associated with sorginak, often also associated with Mari or other mythological characters. This is an incomplete list of the most famous ones:
Álava
Biscay
Labourd
Lapurdi was particularly shaken by the large-scale trials of 1609 led by Pierre de Lancre
, who was convinced that most people in the country were witches.
Navarre
Large portions of Navarre were severely affected by an inquisitorial process in 1610, focused in the akelarre of Zurgarramurdi.
Lower Navarre
Soule
Mari (goddess)
Mari, Mari Urraca, Anbotoko Mari and the possibly distinct Murumendiko Dama was a goddess — a lamia — of the Basques. She was married to the god Sugaar...
in Basque mythology
Basque mythology
The mythology of the ancient Basques largely did not survive the, albeit late, arrival of Christianity in the Basque Country between the 4th and 12th century AD...
. It is also the Basque name for witches or pagan priestesses (though they could also be male), being difficult to discern between the mythological and real ones.
Sometimes sorginak are confused with lamiak (similar to nymphs). Along with them, and specially with Jentilak, sorginak are said often to have built the local megalith
Megalith
A megalith is a large stone that has been used to construct a structure or monument, either alone or together with other stones. Megalithic describes structures made of such large stones, utilizing an interlocking system without the use of mortar or cement.The word 'megalith' comes from the Ancient...
s.
Sorginak, like other European witches, used to participate in the sabbat
Sabbath (witchcraft)
The Witches' Sabbath or Sabbat is a supposed meeting of those who practice witchcraft, and other rites.European records indicate cases of persons being accused or tried for taking part in Sabbat gatherings, from the Middle Ages to the 17th century or later.- Etymology :The English word “sabbat”...
, called akelarre locally. These mysteries happened on Friday nights, when Mari and Sugaar
Sugaar
In Basque mythology, Sugaar is the male half of a pre-Christian Basque deity associated with storms and thunder. He is normally imagined as a dragon or serpent. Unlike his female consort, Mari, there are very few remaining legends about Sugaar...
are said to meet in the locally sacred cave to engender storms.
Etymology
The etymology of the name is disputed. The common suffix -gin (actor, from egin: to do) is the only agreement.- One theory claims that sor derives from sorte (fortune), and hence it would be rendered as fortune-teller.
- The other states that sor is the radical of sor(tu) (to create), and hence sorgin means literally: creator.
Most common references to sorginak
Sorginak are often said to recite the following spell to travel to and back from the akelarre: Under the clouds and over the brambles, or variants of it. In many legends a failed witch (normally a man) says the spell inverted (Under the brambles and over the clouds) and arrives to the akelarre quite bruised.Sorginak also chant the following:
- Ez geala, ba geala,
- Hamalau mila hemen geala
We aren't, we are indeed,
Fourteen thousand here we are
Other variants of this song are also known.
Sorginak often are said to transform themselves in animals, most commonly cats. These cats are sometimes said to bother pious women that do not wish to go the akelarre. It has also been recorded that they collected monetary fines from the people that did not wish to go to their ecstatic gatherings or those witches that absented themselves from them.
Inquisitorial documents describe horrific practices of witches, like eating children or poisonings. But popular legends do not speak of these practices, instead mentioning kissing "the devil's arse" or an animal's genitals, occasional poisoning of crops, bothering modest women (in the shape of cats or other animals) and anointing their bodies with some product (possibly based on stramonium
Datura stramonium
Datura stramonium, known by the common names Jimson weed, devil's trumpet, devil's weed, thorn apple, tolguacha, Jamestown weed, stinkweed, locoweed, datura, pricklyburr, devil's cucumber, Hell's Bells, moonflower and, in South Africa, malpitte and mad seeds, is a common weed in the...
or other psychoactive plant) to "fly" to and from the akelarre and perform other supposed feats.
Major persecutions against Basque witches
While in the late Middle Ages there are a handful of references to witchery, they are mostly fines for accusing someone of being one.This changes radically in the 16th and 17th centuries with the establishment of the Spanish Inquisition
Spanish Inquisition
The Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition , commonly known as the Spanish Inquisition , was a tribunal established in 1480 by Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. It was intended to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms, and to replace the Medieval...
and the pan-European witch panic that plagued the Early Modern Age
Modern Age
Modern Age is an American conservative academic quarterly journal, founded in 1957 by Russell Kirk in close collaboration with Henry Regnery...
. Since annexed to Castile in 1512-21, Navarre (and to a lesser extent areas of the Basque Country) suffered numerous inquisitorial processes, against Jews and Muslims but also against native Basque sorginak. Particularly important was the 1610 process of Logroño that focused on the akelarre of Zugarramurdi
Zugarramurdi
Zugarramurdi is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain. It passed into history as the setting of the infamous Basque witch trials. Every year in spectacular caves near Zugarramundi the town celebrate the ‘day of the witch’.-External...
. It ended with 12 women burnt at the stake (five of them symbolically, as they had died under the tortures inflicted in the process) and shattered Pyrenean Navarre.
The previous year, in 1609, French judge Pierre de Lancre
Pierre de Lancre
Pierre de Rosteguy de Lancre or Pierre de l'Ancre, Lord of De Lancre , was the French judge of Bordeaux who conducted a massive witch-hunt in Labourd in 1609...
had initiated a massive process in Labourd, under the conviction that most Basques were witches. He was eventually displaced but not without causing many deaths and much suffering.
Places associated with sorginak
Throughout the Basque CountryBasque Country (historical territory)
The Basque Country is the name given to the home of the Basque people in the western Pyrenees that spans the border between France and Spain on the Atlantic coast....
there are many places associated with sorginak, often also associated with Mari or other mythological characters. This is an incomplete list of the most famous ones:
ÁlavaÁlavaÁlava is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Álava. Its capital city is Vitoria-Gasteiz which is also the capital of the autonomous community...
- Aramaio: the places of Abadelaueta, Anbotondo and Amezola, as well as an undetermined field at the GorbeaGorbeaGorbea or Gorbeia is a mountain and massif, the highest in Biscay and Alava , with a height of 1,481 m AMSL. The massif covers a wide area between the two provinces. The main mountain is a round grass-covered summit where a 20-metre-tall metallic cross has been constructed to reach the altitude of...
mountain are said to have been places of akelarres. - Maeztu: a woman from this village, Margarita Jauri, was one of the "witches" tried by the InquisitionSpanish InquisitionThe Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition , commonly known as the Spanish Inquisition , was a tribunal established in 1480 by Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. It was intended to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms, and to replace the Medieval...
in the case of the ZugarramurdiZugarramurdiZugarramurdi is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain. It passed into history as the setting of the infamous Basque witch trials. Every year in spectacular caves near Zugarramundi the town celebrate the ‘day of the witch’.-External...
covenant. Though finally acquitted, she was so traumatised by the detention and torture that she committed suicide soon after her release. - Urizaharra: the field of Urkiza or Urkizo seems to have been the site of the local akelarre.
BiscayBiscayBiscay is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Biscay. Its capital city is Bilbao...
- AnbotoAnbotoAnboto is a limestone mountain of the Western Basque Country, the highest peak of the Urkiola range and not far from the pass of Urkiolamendi between Durango and Vitoria-Gasteiz.- Description :...
peak is the well established principal home of MariMari (goddess)Mari, Mari Urraca, Anbotoko Mari and the possibly distinct Murumendiko Dama was a goddess — a lamia — of the Basques. She was married to the god Sugaar...
, also known as Anbotoko Sorgina (Witch of Anboto) and Anbotoko Damie (Lady of Anboto). Her home was said to be specifically in an unreachable cave known as Sorginkoba (witch's cave). - Dima: the farmhouse of Petralanda was the main site of the akelarre of Arratia Valley in the 16th century, according to inquisitional records.
- DurangoDurangoDurango officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Durango is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. The state is located in Northwest Mexico. With a population of 1,632,934, it has Mexico's second-lowest population density, after Baja...
was the center of a medieval Beguine heresy that ended with 13 people burnt at the stake. Later, in the 16th and 17th centuries other inquisitional trials were held in this town. - MañariaMañariaMañaria is a town and municipality located in the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of Basque Country, northern Spain.-External links:*...
: the cave of Azkondo was the witches' meeting place, according to local legend. José Miguel BarandiaranJose Miguel BarandiaranJose Miguel Barandiaran Aierbe was a Basque Spanish anthropologist, ethnographer and priest.-Early life:He was born in 1889 as the youngest of nine children to Francisco Antonio Barandiaran and María Antonia Ayerbe in the family baserri Perune-Zarre in Ataun....
also mentions that the cliffs between the field of Akelarre and the cave of Silibranka (a paleolithic site) were the playfield of demons. - MuruetaMuruetaMurueta is a town and municipality located in the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of Basque Country, northern Spain.-External links:*...
: the place of Etxebartxuko-landa, according to local legend. - MuxikaMuxikaMuxika is a town and municipality located in the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of Basque Country, northern Spain.-External links:*...
: several places attributed as akelarre-sites are called generically eperlanda (partridges' field). - OrozkoOrozkoOrozko is a town and municipality located in the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of Basque Country in northern Spain.-External links:*...
: local legend points to Garaigorta mountain as site of the local akelarre Also the cave of Supelegor, in the karstic area of Itxina, is associated with witches and especially lamiak, and it is even considered one of the mansions of Mari herself. - ZeberioZeberioZeberio isnt a municipality located in the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of Basque Country, northern Spain.-External links:*...
: the local witches went to the akelarre of Petralanda (in Dima) but also met locally at Hereinoza household.
Gipuzkoa
- AndoainAndoainAndoain is a town located in the province of Gipuzkoa, in the autonomous community of Basque Country, in the north of Spain. Nowadays it has a population above 13,000 inhabitants, which has been decreasing since 1981....
: an old bridge is said to have been built by witches. - AtaunAtaunAtaun is a town located at the foot of the Aralar Range in the Goierri region of the province of Gipuzkoa, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country, northern Spain.-External links:* *...
: the sites of Txabaltxo (near a creek), Iraubeltz (a wood), Mendabiita (a bridge), Zelaun (a plain), a creek near the Artzate farmhouse, the spring of Negarregi and the place of Dantzaleku are all said to have frequented by sorginak. Additionally several local sites bear their name: Sorginiturri (witches' spring), Sorginpelota (witches' ball game), Sorginzulo and Sorgizuloeta (witches' niche and niches respectively). - AzkoitiaAzkoitiaAzkoitia is a town located in the province of Gipuzkoa, in the Autonomous Community of Basque Country, in the northern Spain...
: the farmhouse of Kimutxo. - BergaraBergaraBergara is a town located in the province of Gipuzkoa, in the autonomous community of Basque Country, in the north of Spain.An Enlightened center of education operated by the Real Sociedad Bascongada de Amigos del País , it was the place where Faustino Elhuyar discovered wolfram.During the Carlist...
: Itxu mountain was the local site of akelarres. - ErrenteriaErrenteriaErrenteria is a town located in the province of Gipuzkoa in the Basque Autonomous Community, North of Spain, near the French border. The river Oiartzun cuts its way through the town, one that has undergone severe pollution up to recent times on its lower...
: a woman from this village (now an industrial town), María Zozoaia, was one of the main accused in the process of Zugarramurdi. According to inquisitional records, they gathered in the field of Matxarena, that they called Atsegin Soro (pleasure orchard). - HernaniHernani, SpainHernani is a town and municipality located in the province of Gipuzkoa, in the Basque Country, Spain. It is located at Latitude: 43° 16' 0N , Longitude: 1° 58' 0W. Hernani has an altitude of 200 ft .-External links:* and Basque.* Basque, , and ....
: the cave of Sorgintxulo, as recorded by Barandiaran. - HondarribiaHondarribiaHondarribia is a town situated on the west shore of Bidasoa river's mouth, in Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, Spain. The border town is sited on a little promontory facing Hendaye over the Txingudi bay. The town holds an ancient old quarter with walls and a castle...
: a local (but none-the-less brutal) series of inquistorial trials in 1530 discovered that witches met at Jaizkibel mountain, near the hermitage of St. Barbara. Other sites that the accused declared to be their meeting places were: near the hermitage of St. Philip and St. James, or near the hermitage and castle of St. Telmo. Local popular legend instead says that the akelarres happened near one of the local bridges: either Mendelo, Puntal or Santa Engracia, during the feast of St. Agatha. - Lezo: Inquisitor Ugarte was supposedly poisoned by the local witches in this village in 1531.
- LizartzaLizartzaLizartza is a town located in the province of Gipuzkoa, in the autonomous community of Basque Country, in the North of Spain.-External links:* Information available in Spanish and Basque.* Information available in Spanish...
: near a fence at Aini mountain. - MendaroMendaroMendaro is a town located in the province of Gipuzkoa, in the Autonomous Community of Basque Country, northern Spain.-External links:* Information available in Spanish and Basque.* Information available in Spanish...
: the house of Silerokua or Silerene once was inhabited by a witch that, typically, transformed herself as cat to bother more chaste women, legend says. - OiartzunOiartzunOiartzun is a town of the Basque Country located in the province of Gipuzkoa lying at the foot of the massif Aiako Harria.The name traces back to the Oiasso or Oiarso of the Roman period, an important town dedicated to mining and marine activities...
: witches met near the cliffs of Irantzi and Puilegi, according to legend. - OñatiOñatiOñati is a town located in the province of Gipuzkoa, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country, in the north of Spain. It has a population of approximately 10,500 and lies in a valley in the center of the Basque country. It lies about 40 km south of the Bay of Biscay and is about 236 m...
: the cave of Gaiztozulo (evil hole) is said to be one of the main homes of Mari and her court of sorginak. - PasaiaPasaiaPasaia is a town and municipality located in the province of Gipuzkoa in the Basque Autonomous Community of northern Spain. It is a fishing community, commercial port and the birth place of the fighting admiral Blas de Lezo. Pasaia lies approximately 5 km east of Donostia's centre, lying at the...
: local woman Mari Zuloko was imprisoned in St. Sebastian, accused of witchery. Later she was stoned and expelled from her hometown, settling in Donibane-Lohitzune. - TolosaTolosa, SpainTolosa is a town and municipality to the south of Donostia-San Sebastián in the Basque province of Gipuzkoa, Spain. It is located in a valley of the river Oria and overlooked by Uzturre, a white cross-topped mountain.-Famous people from Tolosa:...
: it is said that witches used to wash clothes near Ugartebide. They also met in Edar Iturri and Sorginerreka. - ZegamaZegamaZegama is a town and municipality in the Goierri region of the province of Gipuzkoa, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country, northern Spain...
here goddess Mari, also often considered a witch, is known as Aketigiko Sorgina (witch of Aketegi mountain). It is also believed that she lives in Sorginzulo cave.
LabourdLabourdLabourd is a former French province and part of the present-day Pyrénées Atlantiques département. It is historically one of the seven provinces of the traditional Basque Country....
Lapurdi was particularly shaken by the large-scale trials of 1609 led by Pierre de LancrePierre de Lancre
Pierre de Rosteguy de Lancre or Pierre de l'Ancre, Lord of De Lancre , was the French judge of Bordeaux who conducted a massive witch-hunt in Labourd in 1609...
, who was convinced that most people in the country were witches.
- ArcanguesArcanguesArcangues is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France in what was formerly the province of Labourd.Home to the Marquis d'Arcangues, his Chateau d'Arcangues was used as the Duke of Wellington's headquarters during the December 1813 Battles of the Nive in the...
: the people of this village had the fame of all being witches. - AscainAscainAscain is a village in the traditional Basque province of Labourd, now a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France...
: in the 1609 trials, the priest of this village was burnt at the stake as a witch. - Saint-Jean-de-LuzSaint-Jean-de-LuzSaint-Jean-de-Luz is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.Saint-Jean-de-Luz is part of the province Basque of Labourd and the Basque Eurocity Bayonne - San Sebastian .-Geography:...
: Alakoandia field and the bridges that are between this village and Ciboure. - HendayeHendayeHendaye is the most south-westerly town and commune in France, lying in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department and located in the traditional province Lapurdi of the French Basque Country...
: the local beach was the favorite site for the akelarre, specifically in a site then known as Lakua (the lake). In the 1609 trials it was declared by one of the accused that there was as many people in the local akelarre as stars are in the sky. - LahonceLahonceLahonce is a village in the traditional Basque province of Labourd, now a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-External links:...
: the apparently many witches of this village met in Sohouta (Soule). - SareSareSare is a village in the traditional Basque province of Labourd, now a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France....
: several legends place witches as living in the houses of Egoainea, Ihartzegaraia and Larraburua. The local akelarre was sometimes celebrated at the Fikozelai field. Many local witches were tried in 1609, including several minors and the lady of Txantokorena household. - Saint-Pée-sur-NivelleSaint-Pée-sur-NivelleSaint-Pée-sur-Nivelle is a village in the traditional Basque province of Labourd, now a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France....
: Pierre de Lancre lived here during the witch-hunt of 1609, in the castle of Amou, whose lord had asked for the trials to be initiated. According to the judicial records, the local akelarre took place either in the cemetery, in private houses or even in the castle of Amou itself, while the trial was active. What this means, if the record is true, is that it was done in the sight of de Lancre himself, which is very unlikely. Other unlikely akelarre-sites mentioned in the process are the hotel Barbarenena, on the very night when de Lancre was sleeping there, and in the home of maistre Segura, de Lancre's criminal advisor. Many local presumed witches were accused of plotting to kill de Lancre. - UrrugneUrrugneUrrugne is a village in the traditional Basque province of Labourd, now a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-External links:*...
: two local witches were executed by de Lancre here. Others managed to flee to Lower Navarre. - UstaritzUstaritzUstaritz is a village in the traditional Basque province of Labourd, now a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France. It is located some 13 km inland from Bayonne....
: in 1576 Marie Txorropike of the Ianetabarta household was burnt at the stake. Forty other supposed witches were also executed. Several people, including minors, were also processed here in 1609. The akelarre was celebrated at a site called Pagola. - CiboureCiboureCiboure is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.It lies across the river Nivelle from the harbour of Saint-Jean-de-Luz....
: a large number of people from this town were processed in 1609, including five priests.
NavarreNavarreNavarre , officially the Chartered Community of Navarre is an autonomous community in northern Spain, bordering the Basque Country, La Rioja, and Aragon in Spain and Aquitaine in France...
Large portions of Navarre were severely affected by an inquisitorial process in 1610, focused in the akelarre of Zurgarramurdi.
- Abaurregaina: there's a local natural bridgeNatural BridgeNatural bridge or Natural Bridge can refer to several things:*Natural arch, a land formation sometimes referred to as a natural bridge*Natural Bridge, Alabama*Natural Bridge, New York...
named Sorginzubi (witches' bridge). - Altsasu: local legend states that Mari lives in the cave of Odabe, having by main servant a sorgina.
- AraitzAraitzAraitz is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarra, northern Spain.-External links:*...
: the local witches met at Urrizola slope before flying to the akelarre. - ArantzaArantzaArantza is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain.-External links:*...
: the cliff of Arrutxipi is said to have been the living place of sorginak in the past. - AresoAresoAreso is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain.-External links:*...
: the cave of Uli, at Ulizar mountain, was the favorite site for the akelarre. - Auritz: the sites of Basajaunberro (probably modern Patxaranberro), near Ortzanzurieta mountain and Sorginarizaga, near RoncesvallesRoncesvallesRoncesvalles is a small village and municipality in Navarre, northern Spain. It is situated on the small river Urrobi at an altitude of some 900 metres in the Pyrenees, about 8 kilometres from the French frontier....
. Two witch-hunts affected this municipality: in 1525-27 and in 1575. - BargotaBargotaBargota is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarra, northern Spain.-External links:*...
: Local priest Juanis de Bargota was also a famous witch. He had special relationship with a female witch of Biana, Endregoto (Lady Goto in BasqueBasque languageBasque is the ancestral language of the Basque people, who inhabit the Basque Country, a region spanning an area in northeastern Spain and southwestern France. It is spoken by 25.7% of Basques in all territories...
). Both were processed by the Inquisition in 1610 but, while Endregoto was burned at the stake, Juanis de Bargota avoided punishment by showing extreme repentance. - Baztan: Abbot Aranibar of Urdazubi made many people confess guilty of witchery by means of torture in 1610, including many children. In 1612 a civil process was initiated against 7 local women. The tortures inflicted in the towers of Jauregizar and Jauregizuri were so brutal that the accused women claimed insistently to be moved to LogroñoLogroñoLogroño is a city in northern Spain, on the Ebro River. It is the capital of the autonomous community of La Rioja, formerly known as La Rioja Province.The population of Logroño in 2008 was 153,736 and a metropolitan population of nearly 197,000 inhabitants...
, to be judged by the Inquisition itself, as a lesser evil. It seems that the site of Dutxuketa (in Elbetea) might have been a meeting place for the witches. There is also a dolmen called Sorginetxe (witch's home). - Bera: the local witches met apparently on LarrunLa RhuneLarrun is a mountain at the western end of the Pyrenees. It is located on the border between France and Spain, where the traditional Basque provinces of Labourd and Navarra meet...
mountain, along with their colleagues of Sara and Azkaine. - BertizaranaBertizaranaBertizarana is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain.-External links:*...
: according to the inquisitorial records, witches met at Nabarte village. In 1611, also impelled by Abbot Aranibar, there was a witch-hunt in Legasa. Graciana de Maribertizena and her daughter were tortured brutally and confessed to all asked. - BianaViana, SpainViana is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain. Cesare Borgia is buried there. Francisco Gonzalez de Ibarra, a missionary active in Southern California between 1820 and 1840 was a native of Viana, born there in 1782.**...
: a hill near the Las Cañas lagoon was apparently the site of the local akelarres, to which people came also from LogroñoLogroñoLogroño is a city in northern Spain, on the Ebro River. It is the capital of the autonomous community of La Rioja, formerly known as La Rioja Province.The population of Logroño in 2008 was 153,736 and a metropolitan population of nearly 197,000 inhabitants...
. Biana was also the hometown of Endregoto, the partner of famous male witch Juanis de Bargota, burnt at the stake in 1610. - Burgi: according to an inquisitorial process of 1569, witches met in Larraionoa and Los Linares, as well as on a barrage at the river.
- ErgoienaErgoienaErgoiena is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain.-External links:* *...
: Arleze cave is said to have been used by witches. Putxerri cave (also Putterri or Bueitarri), in the AralarAralar RangeAralar aran'+'larre', meaning 'valley field') is the Basque name for a mountain range, which broadly speaking separates the province of Gipuzkoa from Navarre in the North of Spain...
range is said to be inhabited by genii that show themselves as animals, now red, now black, now white; another legend says it is a mansion of Mari and her sorginak, called in the area Putxerriko Damea (Lady of Putxerri). - Esparza: Inquisitor Avellaneda tells how he tried to dismiss the incipient belief in witchery contacted local witches here and was initiated by anointing their magic oil on all them. He then believed to have seen his partners to have done unbelievable feats. After that experience he retook his inquisitorial duties with even greater dedication. The processes that shattered the SalazarSalazar ValleyThe Salazar Valley is a valley in the east of the Foral Community of Navarre in Spain. It lies within the Merindad of Zangoza-Sangüesa and within that, the Comarca of Roncal-Salazar. The Sierra de Abodi, part of the Western Pyrenees, forms the natural boundary in the north...
valley in 1532 and 1539 record a place called Soto de Tarragona, impossible to locate, as site of the local akelarre. Sometimes the hermit of St. Tirso has been named as place of sabbats as well. - EtxalarEtxalarEtxalar is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain.-External links:*...
was also affected by the 1610 process. In the process, the field of Aranduriaretxa (also Urristilde or Sarueta) and the site of Larbure, were named as akelarre locations. - GaraioaGaraioaGaraioa is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain.-External links:*...
: in 1525, local Martin Lizuain was burnt at the stake in Auritz. In 1577, accused by a 5 years old boy, seven women were processed and acquitted. Two of them died during the tortures. - HiriberriHiriberri/Villanueva de AezkoaHiriberri/Villanueva de Aezkoa is a town and municipality located in the north of Navarre. It belongs to the Valley of Aezkoa, together with several villages.-External links:*...
: the mountain of Petxuberro (also Petiriberro) is said to have been the site of the akelarre of the AezkoaAezkoaAezkoa Valley is an administrative unit of Navarre, Spain. It is formed by several smaller municipalities: Abaurregaina, Abaurrepea, Aria, Aribe , Garraioa, Garralda, Hiriberri , Orbaitzeta and Orbara.The valley has c...
Valley. - Izaba: a possible akelarre is said to have taken place in Berin-pikua.
- IturenIturenIturen is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain.-External links:*...
: the local akelarre apparently used to take place on the heights of Mendaur mountain, near the summit. The processes of 1525 and 1610 affected this village. - ItzaItzaThe Itza are a Guatemalan ethnic group of Maya affiliation speaking the Itza' language. They inhabit the Petén department of Guatemala in and around the city of Flores on the Lake Petén Itzá.- Numbers of ethnic group members and Itza speakers :...
: the peak of Oskia or Arkaitz is said to be meeting place for witches here. - LarraunLarraunLarraun is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain.-External links:*...
: in Alli cave a nearby, where the dolmen of Akelar is located. Also in the field of Urrizolaegia. - LergaLergaLerga is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain.-External links:*...
: the site of Campoluengo. - LesakaLesakaLesaka is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, in Spain.-External links:*...
: in the process of 1610 was said that the local akelarre took place in the field of Kolunba. - Miranda de ArgaMiranda de ArgaMiranda de Arga is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain.-External links:*...
: field of Baiona. - Otxagabia: legend says that Joan I of NavarreJoan I of NavarreJoan I , the daughter of king Henry I of Navarre and Blanche of Artois, reigned as queen regnant of Navarre and also served as queen consort of France.-Life:...
was killed by the black magicBlack magicBlack magic is the type of magic that draws on assumed malevolent powers or is used with the intention to kill, steal, injure, cause misfortune or destruction, or for personal gain without regard to harmful consequences. As a term, "black magic" is normally used by those that do not approve of its...
of the Bishop of Troyes (who was effectively accused of witchery in 1308-13); since then this queen's ghost dwells in the Irati forest, seeking revenge. The local akelarre apparently took place in the main plaza of the village, though sometimes took place in Aboddibidea, deep in the mountains. - PamplonaPamplonaPamplona is the historial capital city of Navarre, in Spain, and of the former kingdom of Navarre.The city is famous worldwide for the San Fermín festival, from July 6 to 14, in which the running of the bulls is one of the main attractions...
: the capital of Navarre was affected by the trial of 1527. - PiedramilleraPiedramilleraPiedramillera is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain.-External links:*...
: near Dos Hermanas twin peaks. - Erronkari: Bedagin-pikoa was the site of the local akelarre. The valley was affected by the persecution of 1532.
- UltzamaUltzamaUltzama is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain. Ultzama is also the name of the river from which the valley takes its name...
: the mountains of Aldaun, Xuxurro, Urbilaga and Elizamendia have been said to be sabbatic sites. - Urdazubi: In the 1609 witch-hunt of Labourd, several accused declared to have celebrated the sabbat inside the church of this village. According to Barandiaran, all neighbours of Alkerdi, where there is an important Paleolithic cave-site, as considered to be witches.
- Ziordi: Bekatu-Larre (field of sins) was apparently the site of local akelarres. This village was affected by inquisitorial processes in 1575-76 and 1610.
- ZugarramurdiZugarramurdiZugarramurdi is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain. It passed into history as the setting of the infamous Basque witch trials. Every year in spectacular caves near Zugarramundi the town celebrate the ‘day of the witch’.-External...
: Akelarrenlezea (cave of the akelarre) is just 500 meters away from the village. Actually witches met in the field of Berroskoberro outside the caves. This village was the focus of the largest and more infamous inquisitorial process, that took place in 1610 in Logroño. Seven people were burnt at the stake and other five were burnt symbolically, along with their remains (they had died during the process). A local legend says that all women of Azkar are witches. Modernly the caves of Akelarrenlezea are used for a summer solstice festival, memorial of what witchery once may have been.
Lower NavarreLower NavarreLower Navarre is a part of the present day Pyrénées Atlantiques département of France. Along with Navarre of Spain, it was once ruled by the Kings of Navarre. Lower Navarre was historically one of the kingdoms of Navarre. Its capital were Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and Saint-Palais...
- BidarrayBidarrayBidarray is a commune of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.It is located in the former province of Lower Navarre.-References:* -External links:*...
: Ebrain bridge, known also as Infenuko zubia (Hell's bridge) is said to have been built by lamiak or sorginak in a single night. - Saint-MichelSaint-Michel, Pyrénées-AtlantiquesSaint-Michel is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.It is located in the former province of Lower Navarre. It borders Caro to the north, Aincille and Estérençuby to the east, Uhart-Cize and Arnéguy to the west, and Spain to the south.-References:* -External...
: the people of this village have been traditionally considered witches as a whole. In other time they were nicknamed akelartarrak (akelarreans). - IholdyIholdyIholdy is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.It is located in the former province of Lower Navarre.-References:* -External links:*...
: the local witches apparently washed clothes at Oxarti creek.
SouleSouleSoule is a former viscounty and French province and part of the present day Pyrénées-Atlantiques département...
- Alçay-Alçabéhéty-SunharetteAlçay-Alçabéhéty-SunharetteAlçay-Alçabéhéty-Sunharette is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.It is located in the former province of Soule.-External links:*...
: Arlegiko Kutxia (Arlegi's cross) is a place that was said that witches made appearances. Another site of akelarres is Artegaina. Near this place there's a cave named Ertzagainako karbia, where legend says a dragon once dwelt. - ChérauteChérauteChéraute is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.It is located in the former province of Soule.-External links:*...
: the witches of this village and that of Lahuntza met a some field near MauléonMauléon-LicharreMauléon-Licharre or simply Mauléon is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.It is the capital of the Soule historical French and Basque province.It is also home to the canvas shoe, the espadrille....
.
See also
- Basque mythologyBasque mythologyThe mythology of the ancient Basques largely did not survive the, albeit late, arrival of Christianity in the Basque Country between the 4th and 12th century AD...
- Basque peopleBasque peopleThe Basques as an ethnic group, primarily inhabit an area traditionally known as the Basque Country , a region that is located around the western end of the Pyrenees on the coast of the Bay of Biscay and straddles parts of north-central Spain and south-western France.The Basques are known in the...
- Mari (goddess)Mari (goddess)Mari, Mari Urraca, Anbotoko Mari and the possibly distinct Murumendiko Dama was a goddess — a lamia — of the Basques. She was married to the god Sugaar...
- WitchcraftWitchcraftWitchcraft, in historical, anthropological, religious, and mythological contexts, is the alleged use of supernatural or magical powers. A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft...
- Witch-huntWitch-huntA witch-hunt is a search for witches or evidence of witchcraft, often involving moral panic, mass hysteria and lynching, but in historical instances also legally sanctioned and involving official witchcraft trials...
- Spanish InquisitionSpanish InquisitionThe Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition , commonly known as the Spanish Inquisition , was a tribunal established in 1480 by Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. It was intended to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms, and to replace the Medieval...
- Pierre de LancrePierre de LancrePierre de Rosteguy de Lancre or Pierre de l'Ancre, Lord of De Lancre , was the French judge of Bordeaux who conducted a massive witch-hunt in Labourd in 1609...
- MegalithMegalithA megalith is a large stone that has been used to construct a structure or monument, either alone or together with other stones. Megalithic describes structures made of such large stones, utilizing an interlocking system without the use of mortar or cement.The word 'megalith' comes from the Ancient...