Atzerri, otserri: foreigner, land of wolves

Atzerri, otserri. These two words in euskara, the language of the Basques, mean “foreigner, land of wolves”. That’s how I felt when I arrived in Agurain, a small Basque town in Spain, in 2018. I was there to do a report on the Basque hunters and on their ancient tradition that involves music, party and respect for nature.

I was preparing to meet an alleged "closed culture", but instead I found a welcoming and generous people. They received me as one of them. I was able to listen to their stories of life, struggle, love and faith while we shared dinner and had beers.

I followed their hunts, participated in their celebrations, shared their joys and sorrows. Thats the result of this beautiful meeting, and this is the story I came to tell. 

To the Ulanga family