Category: BEOpicks

The Basque language (Euskara) is unrelated to any other language spoken today. In Euskara, the use of pronouns plays a powerful, crucial role as it relates to gender, societal, and cultural identity. 

This book offers a fascinating and insightful exploration of Euskara, as it relates to culture and gender. Begona Echeverria provides an in-depth look at the historical use and evolving marginalization of “noka” (a familiar form of address historically used in speaking to a girl or woman in whom one had konfiantza or trust) in Euskara, and its impact on Basque society and gender as seen through historical, religious, cultural, and folkloric lenses. 

Side note: Echeverria is a member of “NOKA”, a Basque-American singing trio, who promote women through songs using “noka”.

In honor of Women’s history month, this book was chosen to commemorate and reflect on the often overlooked contributions of women. It’s a collection of stories, biographies and academic articles celebrating the resiliency of Basque women throughout time and all over the globe. The collection begins with a two quaint fictional stories, leads into the chronicles of the amazing lives of several famous (and not so famous) Basque women, and wraps up with academia articles ranging in content, but focused on Basque women.

This book is available at the Center for Basque Studies Bookstore.

A coming-of-age story of Nagore Vargas, a child of Spanish left-wing immigrants to the Basque Country, during the eighties and nineties. She had no filter, and grew up quickly. This book is a fast-paced novel, switching back and forth from present day to her past. It is a journey of Nagore’s life, but also of the Basque Country’s evolution through the last three decades. An interesting read and an eye-opener to a Basque Country foreign to other’s experiences.