Early Basque settlers found solitude in sheepherding
by Sumita Louis, Outpost Staff.
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According to the 1990 U.S. Census, 47,956 Basques reside in the United States. Of these 2,855 are in the Northeast, 1,671 are in the Midwest, 4,192 are in the South and 38,238 in the West. With more than 19,122, California has the largest Basque population
The Basque language is the only surviving pre-Roman language in the Iberian Peninsula. Scholars still debate the origin of the language. Today, Basque is one of the four official languages of Spain, spoken by more than half a million people. More than 100,000 people speak the language in France. For some time now, Basques have been fighting for a separate homeland.
While the American West was the focal point of entry for the early Basque settlers, some say that Basques first appeared in the New World as part of Christopher Columbus' crew. Recent emigration to north and south America, however, was brought by poor economic conditions in the Basque region in the late l9th and 20th centuries. The political turmoil, begun in the Spanish Civil war and continuing today, also has been a major factor for the exodus from the Basque country.
Most of the early Basque settlers drifted to areas where they could work as "sheepherders," their traditional livelihood. That is why the Basque population in America is centered in the areas around the Great Basin of northern Nevada, the central valley of California, Utah and the plains of Idaho. In fact, it has often been said that the word "shepherd" was at one time synonymous with "Basque." Basque immigrants had earned a reputation as the most diligent, conscientious and capable ranch workers available.
The Basque Studies Department at the University of Nevada, Reno is one of the largest in the Northern hemisphere according to Linda White, assistant director of Basque Studies at the university.
Reno also has a landmark monument dedicated to the Basque sheepherder at the base of Peavine Mountain. The National Monument to the Basque Sheepherder was put up to commemorate the sacrifices of thousands of young Basques who had come from their homeland in Europe to herd sheep in the 13 western states. The solitary figure of the sheepherder was chosen by distinguished Basque sculptor, Nestor Basterretxea, to depict "Bakardae," the Basque word for solitude.
copyright 12/04/97 Nevada
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