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    Home » Travel » Wyoming

    That Time We Accidentally Stumbled Into the National Basque Festival (Buffalo, Wyoming)

    February 28, 2018 • Updated: July 28, 2021 • by Renée B. • This post may contain affiliate links.

    Every year, the National Basque Festival brings together Basque communities across North America to celebrate and share their heritage and culture.

    What I Learned When We Accidentally Stumbled Into the National Basque Festival - Buffalo, Wyoming | The Good Hearted Woman

    This post may contain affiliate links, but don't worry - they won't bite.

    The only real connection to the North American Basque community that I personally have is an impossibly thin thread that runs from me through the amazing woman who taught me to ride horses to the Basque man she was married to for many years.

    Rena was a former Miss Rodeo Oregon and beautiful beyond words. I was nine. She taught me to races barrels and jump hay bales and ride faster than the wind. She later married a man from the Nevada Basque community, and once while traveling with my parents to Arizona, we took a side trip to see her. One thing that still stands out to me about our visit - besides seeing Rena and her new baby - was the vast, arid landscape of the Nevada range and the half an hour we had to wait on the dusty dirt road while the largest herd of sheep I have ever seen passed across in front of us.

    Ever since that long-ago visit, I've had a mild fascination with the unique, mysterious Basque community. So when Mr B and I motored into Buffalo, Wyoming last summer for lunch and saw the "North American Basque Festival" banners hanging across Main Street,  I was intrigued and excited to see what was happening.

    Serendipity in Buffalo: National Basque Festival {Wyoming} | The Good Hearted Woman

    Basque - a People, a Place & a Language

    Basques are an “indigenous ethnic group,” unique unto themselves, and may be the oldest ethnic group in Europe. Neither French nor Spanish, their homeland lies between the base of the Pyrenees Mountains and the Bay of Biscay, comprised of seven traditional provinces that bridge the border between Spain and France. Likewise, their unique language - which they call Euskara - is like no other language spoken in Europe - or the world.

    Serendipity in Buffalo: National Basque Festival {Wyoming} | The Good Hearted Woman

    When I was doing research for this post, I tried to find out how approximately how many people of Basque heritage now live in North America, but reported numbers varied wildly - from less than 100,000 to over a million. What I can tell you is most Basques in North America are descended from 19th century emigrants, and large Basque communities can be found across the western United States and in some Canadian provinces.

    Basques began moving to Wyoming in the early 1900s to herd sheep, and the Buffalo continues to celebrate its long history with the Basque community. A small flock of bronze sheep and a bronze herding dog on Main Street remind visitors of Buffalo's long history with the Basque community. As the plaque that accompanies the bronzes reads:

    The heritage of the Basque people runs deep in the history of Johnson County [Wyoming]. Coming from a mountainous, agrarian culture in the area of the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain, they took to the open range of Wyoming, bringing colorful traditions and a knowledge of raising sheep. They depended on their dogs, often Border Collies as companions and helper to protect and herd the sheep. The Basque farmers remain influential throughout this community to the present day.

    Serendipity in Buffalo: National Basque Festival {Wyoming} | The Good Hearted Woman

    Basques in the North America have embraced their new home, even as they continue to honor their unique heritage. One of the ways they do this is through the many gatherings and festivals that are held in small towns across "Basque country."

    The North American Basque Festival, sponsored by the North American Basque Organization [NABO], has been held annually since 1979, with the location rotating each year. The three-day festival includes traditional food, music, and dancing; and featured artisans and vendors all celebrating the Basque culture.

    What I Learned When We Accidentally Stumbled Into the National Basque Festival - Buffalo, Wyoming | The Good Hearted Woman

    If you happen to be a knitter, crocheter, or spinner, you will love attending a Basque Festival! There were skeins and skeins of wool roving and beautiful, hand-dyed yarns for purchase everywhere!

    Serendipity in Buffalo: National Basque Festival {Wyoming} | The Good Hearted Woman

    The line for barbecued lamb was ridiculous, stretching for well over a block, to the great disappointment to Mr B. (I don't eat lamb, so no tears here. It did smell delicious though.)

    Serendipity in Buffalo: National Basque Festival {Wyoming} | The Good Hearted Woman

    (Hungry for a traditional Basque meal? Try out this recipe for Basque Braised Chicken With Peppers [Chicken Basquaise].)

    Everywhere we turned we saw lauburu motifs. The lauburu (or Basque cross) is a symbol of the Basque Country and the unity of the Basque people.

    What I Learned When We Accidentally Stumbled Into the National Basque Festival - Buffalo, Wyoming | The Good Hearted Woman

    Karro Kampos (Basque Sheep Wagons)

    The coolest thing we saw at the Festival was the collection of "Karro kampos,’ or traditional Basque sheep wagons. Basque sheep wagons, which we learned are an invention of the American West, reached their height of popularity in the 1910's. They continue to be used by some sheep herders, particularly in Idaho, even today.

    (These wagons reminded me a lot of the tiny homes at Tiny Digs (hotel of tiny houses) that we once stayed at in Portland.)

    Serendipity in Buffalo: National Basque Festival {Wyoming} | The Good Hearted Woman

    No two wagons that we saw were exactly the same; however, as we peeked into each one, we noticed certain consistencies. For example, the door was always at the front of the wagon, and the bed was always at the back. Most vintage wagons (like the one below) had a wash-pan hanging on the door, a wood stove to the left of the door (going in), and a stove pipe coming out the top.

    What I Learned When We Accidentally Stumbled Into the National Basque Festival - Buffalo, Wyoming | The Good Hearted Woman

    I love the detailing on this little cast iron wood stove. This wagon has a stove-pipe popping out the top.

    What I Learned When We Accidentally Stumbled Into the National Basque Festival - Buffalo, Wyoming | The Good Hearted Woman

    Other wagons had more contemporary interiors, with gas stoves, up-to-date cabinetry, and tiled floors.

    What I Learned When We Accidentally Stumbled Into the National Basque Festival - Buffalo, Wyoming | The Good Hearted Woman

    This wagon - proudly displayed by the 4th generation Basque family of George Etchemenoy - was a work of art. The attention to detail and fine craftsmanship on the wagon, along with the matching child-sized wagon and wooden tractor, was outstanding.

    What I Learned When We Accidentally Stumbled Into the National Basque Festival - Buffalo, Wyoming | The Good Hearted Woman

    Check out the turquoise inlay on the front of the wooden tractor.

    What I Learned When We Accidentally Stumbled Into the National Basque Festival - Buffalo, Wyoming | The Good Hearted Woman

    If you have the opportunity to attend a Basque festival, we enthusiastically encourage you to go - you will have a great time and probably learn something in the process! Visit the North American Basque Organization website to learn more.

    What I Learned When We Accidentally Stumbled Into the National Basque Festival - Buffalo, Wyoming | The Good Hearted Woman

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    What I Learned When We Accidentally Stumbled Into the National Basque Festival - Buffalo, Wyoming | The Good Hearted Woman
    Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won't cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

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    About Renée B.

    Renée is writer, music maker, artist, and storyteller. In her spare time, you can find her writing love songs about cowboys, exploring the moss-covered nooks and crannies of the Pacific Northwest, and making music with her talented singer-husband.

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    1. ohmummymia says

      March 03, 2018 at 1:50 pm

      Never heard of it but it looks interesting. I like that kind of places different than others:)

      Reply
    2. emman damian says

      March 02, 2018 at 1:53 am

      I’m really keen in knowing more about Basque culture. I hope I can attend one soon! 🙂

      Reply
    3. Hannah says

      March 01, 2018 at 11:49 pm

      First time hearing about it! Looks very interesting though - especially getting to learn about another culture 🙂

      Reply
    4. Dee Jackson says

      March 01, 2018 at 8:22 pm

      This festival looks amazing! I am loving all the colour. I want to see this

      Reply
    5. Meg says

      March 01, 2018 at 3:25 pm

      Sounds like a wonderful time and a chance to learn more about another culture. Looks like it was a lot of fun, too!

      Reply
    6. Esse D says

      March 01, 2018 at 11:15 am

      I'm a little embarrassed by my ignorance on this group of people. I'm glad I came across this post to educate myself on another culture in the U.S.

      Reply
    7. Hey Sharonoox says

      March 01, 2018 at 7:39 am

      I like going to festivals like this. Looks like there's so many things to see and do there. I wish they have something like this where I lived. Thanks for sharing all the great pics!

      Reply
    8. Create/Enjoy says

      February 28, 2018 at 4:48 pm

      Oh, very cool! I don't know much about that culture but I love learning about our history and others who've settled here. Love those yarn photos!

      Reply
    9. Create/Enjoy says

      February 28, 2018 at 4:48 pm

      Oh, very cool! I don't know much about that culture but I love learning about our history and others who've settled here. Love those yarn photos!

      Reply
    10. Sarah Bailey says

      February 28, 2018 at 4:39 pm

      Oh my goodness what an amazing festival to accidentally stumble upon! I would absolutely love to find something like this for sure!

      Reply
    11. Alice says

      February 28, 2018 at 1:20 pm

      Never heard of it before! The pictures are amazing! Great post!

      Reply
      • Renée ♥ says

        March 01, 2018 at 10:42 am

        Before we stumbled into it,I'd never heard about it either!

        Reply

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