The Empowerment of Women
Through an original piece of creativity (written, performance, or visual), explore ways to showcase how a Basque woman in your life influenced you and shaped your Basque identity.
Amaya’s Inspiration
My spoken word is inspired by the multiple generations of Basque women in my family, beginning with my great-grandmother and ending with my mother and me. I describe the traits of each of these women and the obstacles they overcame in order to keep our Basque culture alive, in turn inspiring me and increasing my passion for my Basque culture.
I use a variety of Basque words so here is a list of the translations:
Emakumeak = “women”
Machi = term of endearment for “great-grandmother”
Basseri = ‘farmhouse”
Amaiur, Nafarroa = town in the Basque country
Tia = term of endearment for “great-aunt”
Ainhoa, Iparralde = town in the Basque country
Amachi = “grandmother”
Euskal Herria = “Basque Country”
NABO = North American Basque Organization
Pazientzia = “patience”
Ama = “mother”
Trikitixa = Basque accordion
Txistu = Basque flute
Udaleku = Basque culture camp
Gazteak = Basque youth group
Oinkaris = Basque dance group
Txantxangorriak = Basque accordion and percussion group
The final quote,”Izan zirelako gara; garelako izango dira,” is a Basque proverb.
About Amaya