Olentzero (basque culture)

Olentzero in Iruña (Nafarroa south basque country)

In this article, I summarize the story of one of the most popular character of basque culture: Olentzero. It is celebrated on 24 of December.

1. HISTORY AND ORIGIN

There are different theories about the origin of Olentzero. Although, Olentzero have common characteristics: He is an anthropomorphic "jentila" (a mythological basque creature), coalman, dirty, lives alone on the mountains, he likes to drink and smoke.

According to one of the stories, he is the last "jentil" of basque country. When Jesus borned, all the "jentilak" hid under "triku harriak". All, except one, Olentzero must sacrifice oneself to place stones where the other "jentilak" hide. After that, he went to the towns announcing the final of "jentilak" (the age of basque mythology) and the coming of the messiah (kismu or jesus). 

According to other story, he is also the last "jentil" of basque country. One day, "jentilak" saw a strange cloud in the sky so they asked to the oldest jentil to watch it. He saw a powerful light that announces the final of "jentilak" and aske to the other to throw him in the precipice. The remaining "jentilak" hidde themselves under the triku harriak. Olentzero place stones on them and announced to the basque people the final of one age.

The most likely origin is that Olentzero is a celebration of winter solstice, previous to the Christianity. A celebration of the return of Sun. In the past, Olentzero figures were burned in towns squares to celebrate the new year. The Christianity adopted different characteristics of basque culture to introduce in it. 

2. NOWADAYS

Olentzero is extended in all basque country (south and north). There are different modes of celebrating it. In most of cities or towns, he "carry" presents to basque children. In some cities, municipalities include him in official program. In others, schools carry it along the streets with animals, typical basque clothes and chants. In some towns, Olentzero is directly organized by the people and sometimes it have a political characteristics (basque political prisoners photographs, defense of basque language etc.).

Firstly, he was a gigant of basque mytholog, then he was converted to christianity (and he does not like children) and finally he carried presents to children (adaptation to capytalism). Although in different parades he has the original interpretation.

Normally, families and children accompany him through a parade along the streets. A video of Olentzero in 1970 in a small town of south basque country:

3. OLENTZERO AND POLITICAL CONTROVERSY

Like other different expresions of basque culture, Olentzero had been linked with basque struggle. During spanish dictatorship, the parades were banned. Althoug, towards the end of the Franco it was allowed. In some towns of Nafarroa (where spanish unionism is stronger) there were (and are sometimes) tensions with the parade.

On 2009, the government of Nafarroa (UPN an unionist political party) banned Olentzero parades in neighbourhoods. Spanish police and local police appeared in the parades. They set fines and even arrested some participants. During 2003, 2004, 2005 different dolls that represent Olentzero were stolen in Areso (Nafarroa south basque country). Different neighbors contributed images where "Guardia Civil" (spanish military police) appeared stealing it.