Basque mythology
The mythology of the ancient Basques largely did not survive the arrival of Christianity in the Basque Country between the 4th and 12th century AD. Most of what is known about elements of this original belief system is based on the analysis of ...
. It is also the Basque name for witches, priests and priestesses, making it difficult to distinguish between the mythological and real ones.
Sometimes ''sorginak'' are confused with
lamia
LaMia Corporation S.R.L., operating as LaMia (short for ''Línea Aérea Mérida Internacional de Aviación''), was a Bolivian charter airline headquartered in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, as an EcoJet subsidiary. It had its origins from the failed ...
k (similar to
nymphs
A nymph ( grc, νύμφη, nýmphē, el, script=Latn, nímfi, label=Modern Greek; , ) in ancient Greek folklore is a minor female nature deity. Different from Greek goddesses, nymphs are generally regarded as personifications of nature, are typ ...
). Along with them, and specially with
Jentilak
The jentil (or jentilak with the Basque plural), are a race of giants in the Basque mythology. This word meaning '' gentile'', from Latin ''gentilis'', was used to refer to pre-Christian civilizations and in particular to the builders of megali ...
, ''sorginak'' are said often to have built the local
megalith
A megalith is a large stone that has been used to construct a prehistoric structure or monument, either alone or together with other stones. There are over 35,000 in Europe alone, located widely from Sweden to the Mediterranean sea.
The ...
s.
''Sorginak'' used to participate in Akelarre. These mysteries happened on Friday nights, when Mari and
Sugaar
In Basque mythology, (also , , , ) 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, , there are very few remaining legends about . Th ...
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. Another 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:
Other variants of this song are also known.
''Sorginak'' often are said to transform themselves into 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
flying ointment
Flying ointment is a hallucinogenic ointment said to have been used by witches in the practice of European witchcraft from at least as far back as the Early Modern period, when detailed recipes for such preparations were first recorded.
Name ...
(containing
entheogenic
Entheogens are psychoactive substances that induce alterations in perception, mood (psychology), mood, consciousness, cognition, or behavior for the purposes of engendering spiritual development or otherwiseRätsch, Christian, ''The Encyclop ...
,
Solanaceous
The Solanaceae , or nightshades, are a family of flowering plants that ranges from annual and perennial herbs to vines, lianas, epiphytes, shrubs, and trees, and includes a number of agricultural crops, medicinal plants, spices, weeds, and orna ...
plants) 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 in the 16th and 17th centuries with the establishment of the
Spanish Inquisition
The Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition ( es, Tribunal del Santo Oficio de la Inquisición), commonly known as the Spanish Inquisition ( es, Inquisición española), was established in 1478 by the Catholic Monarchs, King Ferdinand ...
and the pan-European witch panic that afflicted the Early
Modern Age
The term modern period or modern era (sometimes also called modern history or modern times) is the period of history that succeeds the Middle Ages (which ended approximately 1500 AD). This terminology is a historical periodization that is applie ...
. Since being conquered by Castile in 1512–21, Navarre (and to a lesser extent areas of the Basque Country) suffered numerous inquisitorial processes, mainly against Jews and Muslims, but occasionally also against Basque ''sorginak''. Particularly important was the 1610 process of Logroño that focused on the akelarre of
Zugarramurdi
Zugarramurdi is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre in northern Spain. It passed into history as the setting of alleged occult activity featured in the infamous Basque witch trials held in Logroño ...
. The previous year, in 1609, French judge
Pierre de Lancre
Pierre de Rosteguy de Lancre or Pierre de l'Ancre, Lord of De Lancre (1553–1631), was the French judge of Bordeaux who conducted the massive Labourd witch-hunt of 1609. In 1582 he was named judge in Bordeaux, and in 1608 King Henry IV commande ...
had initiated a massive process in Labourd, focusing mainly on Basque women and priests. He was eventually displaced but not without causing many deaths and much suffering. The witch panic extended beyond the frontier and accusations of witchcraft proliferated among the local population until the Spanish Inquisition intervened. The Logroño process 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 Pyrennean Navarre and led also to a serious reconsideration of the Inquisition's attitude towards accusations of witchcraft. The Spanish and Italian Inquisition generally approached accusations of sorcery and witchcraft with skepticism and similar processes were rare in comparison to other European countries where no such centralised institution existed.
Places associated with sorginak
Throughout the Basque Country 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
*
Aramaio
Aramaio ( es, Aramayona) is a town and municipality located in the province of Álava, in the Basque Country, northern Spain.
Elizate
* Arexola, elizate
* Azkoaga, elizate
* Barajuen, elizate
* Etxaguen, elizate
* Gantzaga, elizate
* Ib ...
: the places of Abadelaueta, Anbotondo and Amezola, as well as an undetermined field at the
Gorbea
Gorbea () or Gorbeia () is a mountain and massif in the Basque Country, Spain. It is the highest summit in Biscay and Álava, with a height of above sea level. The massif covers a wide area between the two provinces. The main summit is a round ...
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
Inquisition
The Inquisition was a group of institutions within the Catholic Church whose aim was to combat heresy, conducting trials of suspected heretics. Studies of the records have found that the overwhelming majority of sentences consisted of penances, ...
in the case of the
Zugarramurdi
Zugarramurdi is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre in northern Spain. It passed into history as the setting of alleged occult activity featured in the infamous Basque witch trials held in Logroño ...
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''.
Biscay
*
Anboto
Anboto () is a limestone mountain of the Western Basque Country, the highest peak of the Urkiola range and not far from the Urkiola mountain pass between Durango and Vitoria-Gasteiz.
Description
An immense mass of limestone, very compact ...
peak is the well established principal home of Mari, 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.
*
Durango
Durango (), officially named Estado Libre y Soberano de Durango ( en, Free and Sovereign State of Durango; Tepehuán: ''Korian''; Nahuatl: ''Tepēhuahcān''), is one of the 31 states which make up the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico, situated in ...
was the center of a medieval
Beguine
The Beguines () and the Beghards () were Christian lay religious orders that were active in Western Europe, particularly in the Low Countries, in the 13th–16th centuries. Their members lived in semi-monastic communities but did not take forma ...
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.
*
Mañaria
Mañaria (both in Basque and Spanish) is an elizate, town and municipality located in the province of Biscay, in the Basque Country, Spain. Mañaria is part of the ''comarca'' of Durangaldea and has a population of 459 inhabitants as of 2006 acc ...
: the cave of Azkondo was the witches' meeting place, according to local legend.
José Miguel Barandiaran
eu, Jose Miguel Barandiaran Aierbe, es, José Miguel de Barandiarán y Ayerbe known as and eu, Aita Barandiaran, lit=Father Barandiaran, label =none (31 December 1889 – 21 December 1991), was a Basque anthropologist, ethnographer, and ...
also mentions that the cliffs between the field of Akelarre and the cave of Silibranka (a paleolithic site) were the playfield of demons.
*
Murueta
Murueta is a town and municipality located in the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of Basque Country, northern Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, ...
: the place of Etxebartxuko-landa, according to local legend.
*
Muxika
Muxika is a town and municipality located in the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of Basque Country, northern Spain. It has a population of 1,465 inhabitants as of 2019 according to the Spanish National Statistics Institute
Spani ...
: several places attributed as akelarre-sites are called generically ''eperlanda'' (partridges' field).
*
Orozko
Orozko is a town and municipality located in the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of Basque Country in northern Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
...
: 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.
*
Zalla
, population_note =
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, utc ...
: it is called "town of sorcerers"
*
Zeberio
Zeberio ( es, Ceberio) is a municipality located in the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of Basque Country, northern Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado). ...
: the local witches went to the akelarre of Petralanda (in Dima) but also met locally at Hereinoza household.
Gipuzkoa
* Andoain: an old bridge is said to have been built by witches.
* Ataun: 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).
*
Azkoitia
, population_note =
, population_density_km2 = auto
, blank_name_sec1 = Official language(s)
, blank_info_sec1 =
, timezone = CET
, utc_offset = +1
, timezone_DST = CEST
, u ...
: the farmhouse of Kimutxo.
*
Bergara
es, vergarés, vergaresa
, population_note =
, population_density_km2 = auto
, blank_name_sec1 = Official language(s)
, blank_info_sec1 = BasqueSpanish
, timezone = CET
, utc_offset = +1 ...
: Itxu mountain was the local site of ''akelarres''.
*
Errenteria
Errenteria ( eu, Errenteria/Orereta, es, Rentería) is a town located in the province of Gipuzkoa in the Basque Country (autonomous community), Basque Autonomous Community, in the north of Spain, near the French border. The river Oiartzun (rive ...
: 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).
* Hernani: the cave of Sorgintxulo, as recorded by Barandiaran.
*
Hondarribia
Hondarribia ( eu, Hondarribia; es, Fuenterrabía; french: Fontarrabie) is a town situated on the west shore of Bidasoa river's mouth, in Gipuzkoa, in Basque Country (autonomous community), Basque Country, Spain.
The border town is situated on a ...
: a local (but none-the-less brutal) series of inquisitorial 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.
* Lizartza: near a fence at Aini mountain.
*
Mendaro
Mendaro is a town located in the province of Gipuzkoa, in the Autonomous Community of Basque Country, northern Spain.
The Mendaro Valley is the town's namesake. There is little agreement on the origin or meaning of the word itself.
Surrounded by ...
: 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.
* Oiartzun: witches met near the cliffs of Irantzi and Puilegi, according to legend.
*
Oñati
Oñati ( eu, Oñati, es, Oñate) 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 Basqu ...
: the cave of Gaiztozulo (evil hole) is said to be one of the main homes of Mari and her court of ''sorginak''.
*
Pasaia
Pasaia ( es, Pasajes) 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 birthplace of the famous admiral Blas de Lezo.
Pasaia ...
: 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.
* Tolosa: it is said that witches used to wash clothes near Ugartebide. They also met in Edar Iturri and Sorginerreka.
*
Zegama
Zegama, popularly known as "The shadow of Aizkorri", is a town and municipality in the Goierri region of the province of Gipuzkoa, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country, northern Spain.
Nature and culture
Zegama's main characterist ...
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.
Labourd
Lapurdi was particularly shaken by the large-scale trials of 1609 led by
Pierre de Lancre
Pierre de Rosteguy de Lancre or Pierre de l'Ancre, Lord of De Lancre (1553–1631), was the French judge of Bordeaux who conducted the massive Labourd witch-hunt of 1609. In 1582 he was named judge in Bordeaux, and in 1608 King Henry IV commande ...
, who was convinced that most people in the country were witches.
*
Arcangues
Arcangues (; ) is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of southwestern France in what was formerly the Basque province of Labourd.
The inhabitants of the commune are known as ''Arcanguais'' or ''Ar ...
: the people of this village had the fame of all being witches.
*
Ascain
Ascain (; eu, Azkaine) is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of south-western France.
The inhabitants of the commune are known as ''Azkaindar''.
: in the 1609 trials, the priest of this village was burnt at the stake as a witch.
*
: 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''.
*
Sare Sare may refer to:
People
* Bakary Saré (born 1990), Burkinabé football player
* Clyde W. Sare (1936–2015), American politician and businessman
* Haig Sare (born 1982), Australian rugby union player
* Hamit Şare (born 1982), Turkish alpine sk ...
: 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.
*
Urrugne
Urrugne (; eu, Urruña)URRUÑA Ustaritz
Ustaritz (; eu, Uztaritze) is a town in the traditional French Basque Country, Basque province of Labourd, now a Communes of France, commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques Departments of France, department, southwestern France. It is located on ...
: 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.
*
Abaurregaina
Abaurregaina / Abaurrea Alta (''Abaurregaina'' is the Basque name, ''Abaurrea Alta'' its name in Spanish; both are recognised officially) is a municipality and inhabited locality situated in the province and autonomous community of Navarre (Spanis ...
: there's a local
natural bridge
A natural arch, natural bridge, or (less commonly) rock arch is a natural landform where an arch has formed with an opening underneath. Natural arches commonly form where inland cliffs, coastal cliffs, fins or stacks are subject to erosion ...
named Sorginzubi (witches' bridge).
* Altsasu: local legend states that Mari lives in the cave of Odabe, having by main servant a ''sorgina''.
*
Araitz
Araitz is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto ...
: the local witches met at Urrizola slope before ''flying'' to the ''akelarre''.
*
Arantza
Arantza is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto ...
: the cliff of Arrutxipi is said to have been the living place of ''sorginak'' in the past.
*
Areso
Areso is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto ...
: 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
Roncesvalles
Roncesvalles ( , ; eu, Orreaga ; an, Ronzesbals ; french: Roncevaux ) is a small village and municipality in Navarre, northern Spain. It is situated on the small river Urrobi at an altitude of some in the Pyrenees, about from the French bor ...
. Two witch-hunts affected this municipality: in 1525–27 and in 1575.
* Bargota: Local priest Juanis de Bargota was also a famous witch. He had special relationship with a female witch of Biana, Endregoto (Lady Goto in
Basque
Basque may refer to:
* Basques, an ethnic group of Spain and France
* Basque language, their language
Places
* Basque Country (greater region), the homeland of the Basque people with parts in both Spain and France
* Basque Country (autonomous co ...
). 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
Logroño
Logroño () is the capital of the province of La Rioja, situated in northern Spain. Traversed in its northern part by the Ebro River, Logroño has historically been a place of passage, such as the Camino de Santiago. Its borders were disputed b ...
, 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
Bera may refer to:
Acronyms
* Bioelectric recognition assay, a method in electrophysiology
* Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority, an energy regulatory body in Botswana
* Brainstem evoked response audiometry, a screening test to monitor for heari ...
: the local witches met apparently on
Larrun
Larrun (modern French: ''La Rhune'', IPA: a'run - 'good pasture', possibly a folk etymology, in French until the 20th century: ''Larhune'' ) is a mountain (905 m) at the western end of the Pyrenees. It is located on the border of France and Spa ...
mountain, along with their colleagues of Sara and Azkaine.
* Bertizarana: 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.
* Biana: a hill near the Las Cañas lagoon was apparently the site of the local akelarres, to which people came also from
Logroño
Logroño () is the capital of the province of La Rioja, situated in northern Spain. Traversed in its northern part by the Ebro River, Logroño has historically been a place of passage, such as the Camino de Santiago. Its borders were disputed b ...
. 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.
* Ergoiena: Arleze cave is said to have been used by witches. Putxerri cave (also Putterri or Bueitarri), in the Aralar 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
Esparza is a Basque people, Basque surname. Notable people with the surname include:
*Antonio Esparza (born 1962), Spanish cyclist
*Audrey Esparza (born 1986), American actress
*Carla Esparza (born 1987), American mixed martial artist
*Carlos Es ...
: 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 Salazar 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.
*
Etxalar
Etxalar is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain.
References
External links
ETXALAR in the Bernardo Estornés Lasa - Auñamendi Encyclopedia Euskomedia Fundazioa
The Euskomedia Fund ...
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.
* Garaioa: in 1525, local Martin Lizuain was burnt at the stake in Auritz. In 1577, accused by a 5-year-old boy, seven women were processed and acquitted. Two of them died during the tortures.
*
Hiriberri
Hiriberri/Villanueva de Aezkoa is a town and municipality located in the north of Navarre. It belongs to the Valley of Aezkoa
Aezkoa Valley is an administrative unit of Navarre, Spain. It is formed by several smaller municipalities: Abaurregain ...
: the mountain of Petxuberro (also Petiriberro) is said to have been the site of the akelarre of the
Aezkoa
Aezkoa Valley is an administrative unit of Navarre, Spain. It is formed by several smaller municipalities: Abaurregaina, Abaurrepea, Aria, Aribe (seat of the Valley administration), Garraioa, Garralda, Hiriberri (town), Orbaitzeta and Orbara.
...
Valley.
* Izaba: a possible ''akelarre'' is said to have taken place in Berin-pikua.
*
Ituren
Ituren is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain. Ituren sits on a westernmost outlying area of the Pyrenees, 56.5 km north of Pamplona. It lies on the flood plain of the River Ezkur ...
: 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.
*
Itza Itza may refer to:
* Itza people, an ethnic group of Guatemala
* Itzaʼ language, a Mayan language
* Itza Kingdom (disambiguation)
* Itza, Navarre, a town in Spain
See also
* Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza , es, Chichén Itzá , often with ...
: the peak of Oskia or Arkaitz is said to be meeting place for witches here.
*
Larraun Larraun in Basque, Larráun in Spanish, is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazona ...
: in Alli cave a nearby, where the dolmen of Akelar is located. Also in the field of Urrizolaegia.
*
Lerga
Lerga is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain.
The town is located in a valley surrounded by the Pyrenees Mountains
The Pyrenees (; es, Pirineos ; french: Pyrénées ; ca, Pirine ...
: the site of Campoluengo.
*
Lesaka
Lesaka is a town and municipality in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, in Spain. It is situated in the merindad of Iruña, in the region of Bortziriak (Five Villas) and to 75 km of the capital of the community, Iruña/Pamp ...
: in the process of 1610 was said that the local ''akelarre'' took place in the field of Kolunba.
*
Miranda de Arga
Miranda de Arga ( eu, Miranda Arga) is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain.
The prominent 16th century theologian Bartolomé Carranza
Bartolomé Carranza (15032 May 1576, sometim ...
Joan I of Navarre
Joan I (14 January 1273 – 31 March/2 April 1305) ( eu, Joana) was Queen of Navarre and Countess of Champagne from 1274 until 1305; she was also Queen of France by marriage to King Philip IV. She founded the College of Navarre in Paris in 130 ...
was killed by the
black magic
Black magic, also known as dark magic, has traditionally referred to the use of supernatural powers or magic for evil and selfish purposes, specifically the seven magical arts prohibited by canon law, as expounded by Johannes Hartlieb in 145 ...
of the
Bishop of Troyes
The Diocese of Troyes (Latin: ''Dioecesis Trecensis''; French: ''Diocèse de Troyes'') is a Latin Church
, native_name_lang = la
, image = San Giovanni in Laterano - Rome.jpg
, imagewidth = 250px
, alt ...
(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.
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Pamplona
Pamplona (; eu, Iruña or ), historically also known as Pampeluna in English, is the capital city of the Chartered Community of Navarre, in Spain. It is also the third-largest city in the greater Basque cultural region.
Lying at near above ...
: the capital of Navarre was affected by the trial of 1527.
* Piedramillera: near Dos Hermanas twin peaks.
* Erronkari: Bedagin-pikoa was the site of the local akelarre. The valley was affected by the persecution of 1532.
* Ultzama: 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.
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Zugarramurdi
Zugarramurdi is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre in northern Spain. It passed into history as the setting of alleged occult activity featured in the infamous Basque witch trials held in Logroño ...
: 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.
lamia
LaMia Corporation S.R.L., operating as LaMia (short for ''Línea Aérea Mérida Internacional de Aviación''), was a Bolivian charter airline headquartered in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, as an EcoJet subsidiary. It had its origins from the failed ...
k'' or ''sorginak'' in a single night.
* Saint-Michel: the people of this village have been traditionally considered witches as a whole. In other time they were nicknamed ''akelartarrak'' (''akelarreans'').
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: 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.
* Chéraute: the witches of this village and that of Lahuntza met a some field near Mauléon.
References
*''Guía del Akelarre Vasco'', José Dueso, ROGER Ed. 2001.
Basque mythology
The mythology of the ancient Basques largely did not survive the arrival of Christianity in the Basque Country between the 4th and 12th century AD. Most of what is known about elements of this original belief system is based on the analysis of ...
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Basque people
The Basques ( or ; eu, euskaldunak ; es, vascos ; french: basques ) are a Southwestern European ethnic group, characterised by the Basque language, a common culture and shared genetic ancestry to the ancient Vascones and Aquitanians. Ba ...
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Mari (goddess)
Mari, also called Mari Urraca, Anbotoko Mari ("the lady of Anboto"), and Murumendiko Dama ("lady of Murumendi") is the goddess of the Basques. She is married to the god Sugaar (also known as Sugoi or Maju). Legends connect her to the weather: ...
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Witchcraft
Witchcraft traditionally means the use of magic or supernatural powers to harm others. A practitioner is a witch. In medieval and early modern Europe, where the term originated, accused witches were usually women who were believed to have us ...
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Witch-hunt
A witch-hunt, or a witch purge, is a search for people who have been labeled witches or a search for evidence of witchcraft. The Witch trials in the early modern period, classical period of witch-hunts in Early Modern Europe and European Colon ...
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Spanish Inquisition
The Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition ( es, Tribunal del Santo Oficio de la Inquisición), commonly known as the Spanish Inquisition ( es, Inquisición española), was established in 1478 by the Catholic Monarchs, King Ferdinand ...
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Pierre de Lancre
Pierre de Rosteguy de Lancre or Pierre de l'Ancre, Lord of De Lancre (1553–1631), was the French judge of Bordeaux who conducted the massive Labourd witch-hunt of 1609. In 1582 he was named judge in Bordeaux, and in 1608 King Henry IV commande ...
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Megalith
A megalith is a large stone that has been used to construct a prehistoric structure or monument, either alone or together with other stones. There are over 35,000 in Europe alone, located widely from Sweden to the Mediterranean sea.
The ...
Brujería
Various types of witchcraft and occult religious practices exist in Latin American and Afro-Caribbean cultures, known in Spanish as (pronounced ). Influenced by indigenous religion, Catholicism, and European witchcraft, the purpose may range ...