[Ferran]

Originally Posted by Lutiferre

Indeed I was. I still feel that I have asked many questions on page 1, that havent been answered at all, though. Because even though this major political movement seems rather dodgy, then my questions as to Basque nationalism in general still stand.

Just a "major political movement" you say? Hell, they are nothing less than the responsibles of the existence of Basque separatism today (!). One of their aims when they were born was to convert optimistic, constructive Carlists (which to be concise, are the most pro-Hispanic people you can find in the whole XIX century history), into pessimistic, destructive separatists, whose work against Basque tradition can be still be observed till this day. And I told you, even the founder himself repented of this.

Don't the Basques, after all, possess a distinctive ethnic identity - a nation, containing a culture and a language, no matter how twisted the associated political movements are?

It depends entirely in your personal definition of nation and ethnicity... What can I say? If you consider language so important in terms of ethnicity, I can tell you that before the Roman conquest, all the North-East, East and South of Hispania was speaking the Iberian language (of which Basque is just the only remnant, for causes of which you cannot blame any of us). Also, Romans themselves divided our lands into "ethnic-friendly" provinces, and not surprisingly, the Basques (or Vasconii), were included in the province compromising the north and east of Hispania (which basically are the lands you can find more proto-Basque toponimyia nowadays), even if the Romans did never "fully" rule the Basques (and so they preserved their language, unlike other Hispanic peoples).

That's it, can you seriously say that the Latinization of these non-Basque Iberian peoples automatically changed their ethnic affiliation and family tree from one day to another? This would be simply unrealistic, and indeed, in spite of these unimportant linguistic differences, Basques continued to feel Hispanic/Iberian for all the next centuries, in good times, but also in very bad times. To name one of them, we can speak of the times in which almost all Spain was Muslim, and there were small Christian states in the north. The Basques and Navarrese never dienied help to those Iberian kingdoms which needed it, and they themselves were one of the most passionate Reconquistadores, either as Basques, Navarrese or Latizined Castilians (which Basque influence can be appreciated even today in their vocalization, etc and etc).

Further, a [Basque]-Navarrese king, Sancho III, was the first Spanish king of which there's knowledge of having atributed to himself a pan-Hispanic title, rex Ibericus in his case. Something that was more "romantic" than anything else, as he was neither the ruler of all Christian Spain nor he expected to see an all-Christian Iberia during his lifetime, but it was indeed a clear declaration of intentions of his will to "recover all Spain", something which was never liked by the southern neighbours by the way. Well, this tradition was in the later times followed by other kings from all the other Hispanic kingdoms without exception, until Spain was finally all-Christian again.

I could also speak of the Basque as they were in the rather extensive good times, but I think it's more illustrative to talk about how they were in the hard times.

Regarding culture... Basques have tauromachy as a part of their identity (as all Spaniards have... or had, since the animal-rights fighters are simply too influential). Basques have the same cuisine all Cantabric Spain has. Basques have the Jota as one of their regional dances, and the Jota is the most extended dance in all the North of Spain (although sometimes is just referred as Aragonese). Basques don't have "very" different traditional costumes of those of all Northern Spain. Old Basque men used to wear a "boina", as all other Spaniards did. Basque people have equal popular sayings as those Castilians have... and even the most anti-Francoist Basque singers of the 60's and 70's sang with Spanish guitars (!), etc..

That must be the most basic acknowledgment possible as to any level of decency on behalf of the Basque nationalists.

The regular Basque separatist (I won't say "nationalist" because many people who vote the PNV aren't "that" separatist, but rather federalist) ignores great part of his history and has no interest to know others'. I just hope you won't get angry if I don't say "yes" to every Basque separatist I see and try to educate him about some aspects of his history and nature.