S4E9 - The First Men - Europe's Myths Before Indo-European Migration

In this episode we examine a myth from the Basque people of Spain and France. Why? Because I love stories, but also because the Basque people are unique among the ethnicities, cultures and languages of Europe. They do not descend from the Indo-European migration, which so heavily influenced the rest of Europe and do not speak an Indo-European language. That said, their myths give us incredible insight into the development of spirituality in Europe and into those primordial ideas, which rest at the foundation of the human psyche.

The myth discussed comes from the folklorist Mariana Monteiro's 1887 book Legends and Popular Tales of the Basque People. It explains the origin of a sacred mountain called--Aquelarre--which sits alone like a leper, isolated from the rest of the mountain chain. Why is it estranged so? What makes it sacred? Let's find out...

Enjoy ;)