Related links:
Entertainers/Athletes
Pilota
www.EuskoKirolak.com (Boise, ID)
Traditional sport overview
Basque
Youth Olypmics
Herri
Kirol Tribute: Elko 2012
In the
Basque country today modern sport is actively engaged in; there are
teams and leagues for soccer, basketball, swimming, etc. This page,
however, focuses on traditional Basque sports because they are both
distinctive and are what most spectators at a Basque-American event are
likely to see.
With the
notable exception of pilota (Basque handball), most traditional Basque
sports originated as forms of work that were turned into contests.
Based in an agrarian culture, the weight-lifting and wood chopping, for
example, were everyday work tasks that competitive Basques converted
into matches.
These sports test not only
speed and skill but endurance as well. Then there were also less
strenuous contests including the Basque version of bowling. Below are
some of these varied Basque traditional sports.
PALA: www.eljuegodepala.com
Click on
the images to enlarge them:
