The story of basque shepherds in America is a tale that dates back to the mid-19th century, when many young basques, mainly from rural and mountainous areas such as Navarre and the Basque Country, set out on a journey to the western United States.
For the most part, these shepherds left their homeland in search of new opportunities. The gold rush initially attracted these migrants, but they soon discovered that herding and tending sheep offered a stability that allowed them to prosper in distant lands.
Their history is closely linked to the ancestral traditions and customs of these men from their homelands, where herding has been a fundamental part of rural life for centuries. An example of this is activities such as transhumance, which consisted of moving their herds along routes that went from the high peaks of the Pyrenees to the warmer areas of the south in the Bardenas Reales. These traditions are still practised today.
You can relive part of that experience through the route of the Roncaleses’ cattle trail, which crosses Navarre from north to south, an opportunity to walk along the same paths that the shepherds used to walk centuries ago, and experience their connection with nature and the animals at close quarters.
Arrival of Basque shepherds in the United States
When the Basque shepherds arrived in the United States, they found a place where they could develop their trade in states such as California, Nevada and Idaho. Many of them were already experts in the care of livestock, which made it easier for them to adapt to life in these new lands.
However, the life of a sheepherder in the Wild West was not easy. They lived in solitude for long periods of time, roaming the mountains and valleys with their herds. They slept in wagons or small tents, with only their sheep for company, and endured extreme weather conditions, from the intense heat of summer to the freezing cold of winter.
Loneliness was one of the greatest challenges the shepherds faced. They would go for weeks without seeing another person, with only the occasional visit from the ‘campero’, the man in charge of bringing them provisions.
This extreme isolation marked many of them, but it also allowed them to establish a deep connection with nature. On trees, especially poplars, many of these shepherds left their mark by carving their names, dates and messages reflecting their longing for their homeland. The engravings, known as arborglyphs, have become a living testimony to their passage through the vast landscapes of the Americas.
Despite the harsh conditions, Basque shepherds played a key role in the development of the livestock industry in the United States. Thanks to their skill and endurance, they were able to tend large flocks of sheep that supplied wool and meat to the growing North American market. In addition, these herders were highly valued for their hard work and honesty, which earned them a reputation among local ranchers.
For many of these herders, the experience in America was temporary. After several years of hard work, some decided to return home, taking with them the fruits of their labours. This return had a significant impact on the local economies of Navarre and the Basque Country. Returning shepherds invested their earnings in property, land and businesses, which contributed to the economic development of their communities. In addition, they brought with them new ideas and ways of working that helped to modernise livestock farming techniques in their homeland.
However, not all of them returned. Some Basque shepherds settled permanently in America, especially in cities such as San Francisco, Fresno or Boise, where they began to form strong communities.
These basques founded hotels and restaurants that not only served as meeting places for newcomers but also as cultural centers where the traditions, language, and customs of the Basque Country were kept alive. Through these communities, Basque culture took root in the American West, and today, many descendants of those early shepherds still celebrate their Basque heritage in the United States.
The mark left by the basque shepherds in America is deep and lasting. They not only contributed to the economic growth of the regions where they worked, but they also brought with them a part of their culture, language, and identity. Their stories of sacrifice, hard work, and success resonated in their home villages, where they were often seen as examples of perseverance.
Today, their legacy lives on in the memories of their descendants, in the carvings on trees, and in the stories still told about the men who crossed the ocean to build a better future. The basque shepherds in America are an example of resilience, hard work, and the enduring connection between two regions.
If you wish to relive part of the experience along one of the routes followed for centuries by Navarra shepherds, the shepherding route that crosses Navarra from north to south offers you the opportunity to visit the ancient paths that still preserve the spirit of a profession that shaped both Navarra and the distant American West.
