Publisher's Synopsis
A lifetime of wisdom infuses the collection of stories gathered by centenarian Jos Miguel de Barandiran, patriarch and interpreter of ancient Basque tales, a sample of which are available for the first time in English in "A view from the Witch's Cave".;The Basque country abounds with oral literature that evokes a distant past in the minds of Basque people. A wondrous combination of reality, fiction, and mythology, the fourteen fables, twenty-one stories, and twenty-nine legends in "A view from the Witch's Cave" were faithfully compiled by Luis de Barandiran Irizar from his uncle's crucial work in the preservation of traditional folklore.;Even though much of the material recorded in this book occupies the peripheral vision of modern Basques, it reminds the contemporary reader of ancient times, of the myths and cults of ancestors. Stories about the dragon of Saint Michael, the Lady of Murumendi, and the announcement of the birth of Christ by the pagans of Aralar -- all bring to mind diverse beliefs and practices of ancient tradition. The belief in shadow-souls, the ceremony of the pagans of Alotza in front of the monolith of the same name, dancing on the night of the full moon, and the offerings of stones and money left for the spirits of the caves -- these and other customs of pagan origin have survived in oral literature through the ages.;Vivid, dramatic, and earthy, the folktales in "A view from the Witch's Cave" embody the ingenuous simplicity of this traditional literary style and bring to life material that helps modern readers increase their knowledge of the remote roots of Basque culture. Designed to be read aloud, these enchanting tales will be enjoyed by readers of all ages and cultural backgrounds.;"Jos Miguel de Barandiarn was born in 1890. His work in collecting ancient tales has been crucial in preserving the traditional oral folklore of the Basques. He is both archaeologist and storyteller and still resides in the land of his ancestors in Ataun. Luis de Barandiarn Irizar was born in 1921, and most of his life has been spent in Vitoria. Ever since his ordination as a priest he has doubled as a professor and an author of essays, poems, and religious reflections in addition to a biography of his noted uncle.".
