#basqueedit

→ iratxo is a restless spirit that comes out at night by scaring someone by surprise, and if you follow them, they’ll take you to a cliff or a dangerous place.

→ mari urraca was the goddess who leads the rest of the deities, female personification of earth, goddess of justice and defender of honesty, who reacts firmly against injustice.

→ akerbeltz is the god and protector of domestic animals and the guide for witches and wizards. he is depicted as a black billy goat who when he shows his good side, his gifts are similar to mari’s and he acts also as some other spirits guide. in addition to those gifts, he cares for the domestic animals left under his protection and he can even cure the diseased. that’s why in certain county houses, a black billy goat is traditionally raised so that he will protect the rest of the domestic animals.

→ lamiaks have the appearance of a beautiful lady from the waist up, but their feet are those of a hen, a duck or a goat. they used to eat the bread and ham, and they used to drink the cider they asked to humans, or/and the bread, milk and curd cheese their faithful gave them. it seems that the lamiak lived on the income they used to obtain from the lands that the farmers hid to the authorities not to pay them any taxes. the lamiak were also spirits who fought against cheats and in favour of honesty; this was their reason to punish those farmers by demanding them some money.

→ basajaun is the god and protector of the woods and nature. he protects the flocks especially. That`s why, when a storm approaches, basajaun roars to alert the shepherds. thanks to the roars, the shepherds can take shelter with their flocks in time. basajaun also protects the flocks again wolves. when the sheep feel that basajaun is near, they ring their little bells and, that way, the shepherd can be certain that wolves will not approach more.

→ herio is a spirit who tries to obtain new souls and brings death. the reason for a person’s death can be an evil eye or a curse. when a person is given an evil eye or is cursed, herio performs his duty and takes that person to the other world. the constant barking of a dog announces herio’s arrival; it is the sign that someone from that house will die.