Goazen mendira! (Let’s go to the mountains!). Hill walking and Basque identity

Abstract

The aim of this article is to discuss the ideological function of mountain landscape in the Basque nationalism and the importance of sport, especially mountain sports and activities, in the process of creating, reproducing and transmitting Basque identity. It includes an outline of the history of the Basque presence in the mountains, as well as the political dimension of hiking in the mountains and conquering mountain peaks. The question of the relationship between language, identity and the lifestyle of the individual and the family is analyzed, too. The text concludes that a mountain was an important space for celebration of Basque identity and even sometimes is considered the symbol of the Basque culture. The article is based on the author’s field research in the Basque Autonomous Community (observations, interviews, analysis of documents). This study advances our understanding of the nature of Basque nationalism and identity.