Boise, Idaho, USA. “Noka” is a form of address in the Basque language that is used only between women in enviroments of proximity and trust. It has a masculine equivalent, hika, that is used between men. Noka and hika were once very common forms whose use was drastically reduced during the second half of last century, in particular in the case of noka. Noka is also the name of the Basque singing trio from California comprised of Cathy Petrissans, Andrea Bidart and Begoña Echeverria that concentrates especially on female participation and visibility.
But here we are refering to ths first noka and Begoña Echeverria who recently presented her docudrama online Picasso Presents Gernika. Echeverria has new book under her arm, after venturing a few years ago into the world of the historical novel with The Hammer of Witches, a work set in Baztan where her parents are from, during the hard years of the Inquisition.
"Witches" and Wily Women. Saving Noka through Basque Folklore and Song, is the title that will be presented this Friday online, in an avent organized by the Boise Basque Museum and Cultural Center. Remember that Begoña Echeverria is a sociologist and university professor, and an active member of the Basque-Californian community, having learned Basque at home through family transmission as her first language
The book has been published by the Center for Basque Studies Press at the University of Nevada, Reno and will be presented this Friday, May 21st at 7pm Boise time (MST), 3am on Saturday in the Basque Country, on Zoom. Participation is open to the public however, registration is required.
-More information, here
-Questions: Info@basquemuseum.eus
-To purchase the book, here