Archeological and ethnographic findings indicate that Basque [people] evolved from Cro-Magnon in this area over a period dating from about 40,000 years ago until distinct features were acquired approximately 7,000 years ago. Two thousand years later the sheep, not native to these lands, was introduced and horse and cattle farming came into being. These circumstances made it necessary for the people to travel periodically and cultural contacts were thus made. The Basque banner was made in 1894 by Sabino Arana. The name of the banner is ikurrina. In spite of the fact that the importance of this word is a banner, it is really used just for the Basque banner; Basque individuals like to use the Spanish word Bandera for different banners.
↧