Basque in Uruguay

Introduction / History

The Basque people have lived in the Pyrenees Mountains that straddle Spain and southern France since before the Roman Empire. They were there before the Iberians arrived in Spain. The Basques themselves would claim that they have never been conquered, though, judging from the amount of borrowed words from Latin to the Basque language, Euskera, they must have had regular contact with the Romans around the time of Christ.

From Roman times to the present, the Basques have been "a group apart" in Spain. They were never actually conquered by the Visigoths, nor the Moors, and have always rebelled against Spanish domination as well. In terms of physical features (high incidence of O blood type and RH negative factor), archaeology of that region, and their unique Basque language, Euskera, they are clearly an ancient people who have lived in this corner of the world and maintained their unique identity down through the centuries, even millennia. Euskera is a linguistic mystery in that it has no clear relationship to any other language in the world!

The Basques were prominent in Spain’s colonial empire, both in the Philippines and Latin America. The first Basques to go to Latin America were young men. As time went on, they sent for brides. Those who owned businesses sent for others from their villages to settle in the New World and work for them. Ironically, the first Basques to emigrate to Uruguay were from the French side of the Pyrenees Mountains.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Wherever they live, the Basques have a strong work ethic. "I hope you have lots of work," is their equivalent of "have a great day." They value hard work over higher education, position and even money. The Basques are noted for their ability to adjust to urban settings, and those in Uruguay have taken on prominent positions in politics, sports and entertainment.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Basques were among the last people of Spain to embrace Catholicism. When they did so, however, they did en masse. For many years, the Basque Country was the most Catholic in all of Spain. They contributed leaders to the Catholic Church, including Sain

What Are Their Needs?

The Basques need a constructive identity. Their identity is often in being Basque, Spanish or French. Others might put their identity in the Roman Catholic Church. Very few in Uruguay have put their identity in Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lo

Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among Basques in Uruguay, giving them a firm identity in Christ.
Pray for a greater understanding of the need to reach out to the Basque people in their own language, Euskera.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out his children to take Christ to them in the Euskera language.
Pray for a renewal among the Catholic Church of Basque Country and Spain. Pray for renewal and revival that will place their feet on the Rock.
Pray that God would call Basque believers to himself who would feel a keen burden to disciple others in the ways of Jesus Christ.

Text Source:   Joshua Project