ABSTRACT
Basque territory lies in southern France and northwestern Spain along the Bay of Biscay and the western foothills of the Pyrenees. Diverse musical practices constitute Basque music—a concept that emerged in the 1800s, when the modern structure of Europe began to be formed by its large nation-states and Basque society came into existence, giving meaning to the phrase. Music, with language, customs, and the special character of the Basque house, took its place as an identifying characteristic of this human group, one of the oldest on the European continent. Basque music is being made on the spot, within a partnership between listeners and performers, whose shared knowledge creates a common culture. During the 1800s, a variety of different traditions began to be called Basque when threatened by the consolidation of nation-states. Certain widespread practices were named, identified, distinguished, and highlighted as markers of identity, designed for staged performance.
