// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Mari say to her date? "You're a-maize-ing
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| Mari | |
|---|---|
 Modern rendering of Mari by Josu Goñi | |
| Abode | Cuava de la Dama on Mount Anboto |
| Animals | Ram |
| Consort | Sugaar |
| Equivalents | |
| Christian | Virgin Mary |
Mari, the main goddess of the ancient Basque mythology. Other epithets for her include Señora de Anboto, Yona-gorri de Leskun, and Bruja de Aketegi, among others.[1]
The first known written citation of the "Lady of Anboto" was made by Charles V's chronicler Esteban de Garibay in his Memorial histórico español.[2]
Mythology and description
[edit]
Right: View from the cave overlooking Mount Anboto
Descriptions of Mari are varied. She is usually said to appear as a beautiful woman with long hair, sometimes engulfed in flame when she flies through the sky.[1] In Kakueta (Soule), she looks like a vulture.[3] She is sometimes displayed next to a ram.[1]
She is said to live in a cave on the eastern slope of Mount Anboto, known as the Cuava de la Dama (Cave of the Lady).[4] She is married to the god Sugaar (also known as Sugoi or Maju).[1]
Mari is considered to be an Earth mother figure and is also associated with the weather, which is said to be affected by her activities and emotions. For example, violent storms are caused when Sugaar visits her, clouds of smoke when she cooks, and hail when she is angry.[1] Her arrival is announced by a peal of thunder[1] or by clouds gathering around Mount Anboto.[4] Offerings may be made to Mari to induce good weather.[1]
She is also said to take goods whose owners have denied their existence out of selfishness.[1] If a person enters her cave, they should not turn their back on her and exit the cave walking backwards.[5][1]
Etymology
[edit]It is believed that Mari is a modification of "Emari" (gift) or, "Amari" (mother + the suffix of profession) by losing the first vowel. The closeness in names between Mari and Mary may have helped pagans adapt their worship of Mari and undertake Christian veneration of the Virgin Mary,[6] (Basque: Andre Maria, Biscayan: Andra Mari).
Christianization
[edit]The most accepted syncretism of Mari is with the Virgin Mary; she is widely venerated by modern Catholic Basques.[6] However, Santa Marina of Aguas Santas, a saint revered in the Basque Country, is considered a christianised version of Mari. Basque women invoke Santa Marina for protection against curses and aid in childbirth.[citation needed]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Uranga, Hartsuaga; Inazio, Juan (2026). "En la mitología vasca, representación antropomorfa femenina de la Tierra y las fuerzas naturales". aunamendi.eusko-ikaskuntza.eus. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
- ↑ Esteban de Garibay Zamalloa, Memorial histórico español: colección de documentos, opúsculos y antigüedades, Tomo VII.
- ↑ Arana, Anuntxi. ([2008]). Euskal mitologiaz : jentilak eta kristauak. Elkar ISBN 9788497835695. PMC 863179178. (kontsulta data: 2018-11-03). 24. or.
- 1 2 Urkiola Nature Reserve, Basque Country: the abode of the goddess Mari
- ↑ Uberuaga, Blas Pedro (17 May 2020). "Basque Fact of the Week: Mari, the Basque Mother Earth". Buber's Basque Page. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
- 1 2 This interpretation is derived from articles in the Enciclopedia General Ilustrada del Pais Vasco Encyclopedia Auñamendi, which in turn cites Euskalerriaren Yakintza, Tomo I "Costumbres y supersticiones", by folklorist Resurrección María de Azkue (1864-1951). The encyclopedia notes that additional legends were recorded by Jose Miguel Barandiaran and Juan Thalamas Labandibar.
External links
[edit]- Mari and other Basque legends, Buber Basque Page
- (in Spanish) Hartsuaga Uranga, Juan Inazio (2002) Mari (2002ko bertsioa) Auñamendi, Eusko Entziklopedia.
Further reading
[edit]- Luis de Barandiarán Irízar (editor), A View From The Witch's Cave: Folktales of The Pyrenees (Reno: University of Nevada Press, 1991). ISBN 0-87417-176-8
- Toti Martínez de Lezea "Leyendas de Euskal Herria". Erein 2004
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