The rural environment in the Basque Country cannot be understood without the work of women. Their role has historically been, and continues to be today, essential to understanding life on our farmhouses (baserri), the transmission of our language and culture, and the management of resources that have allowed our villages to maintain their identity over the centuries.

Today, this work continues and is strengthened by the development of rural tourism, where many women lead our rural accommodations.

Image: Women leading rural accommodations linked to Nekatur

The origin of the term “etxekoandre”

Historically, in the rural environment there has always been a structure in which women held a decisive role. The “etxekoandre” (lady and mistress of the house) ensured the continuity of our farmhouses from generation to generation. Her responsibilities included maintaining the home, transmitting values, language, and customs, managing daily tasks inside and outside the house, and making decisions regarding the family economy.

This was because the men of the house were absent, working at sea or in the mines, or had emigrated in search of greater support for the family.

Etxekoandre is a Basque word rich in multiple and profound meanings. Beyond its literal translation —woman/lady of the house— it also encompasses being the person who welcomes you into her home (she held the keys), cares for you (preparing ointments and infusions for the sick), and feeds you (she guarded the pantry and cooked the meals).

Women in today’s rural environment

Our etxekoandre have always been the most respected people in the household. Today, with current social and economic dynamics, women’s roles have changed, yet they remain fundamental in rural life, and it is common to see many working in the fields and tending livestock.

Beyond that, today’s Basque rural women combine tradition and modernity, and many villages in our rural area have women’s associations that energise cultural offerings and daily life. Many also lead innovative businesses and projects stemming from their agricultural or livestock operations, generating life and wealth in our villages: zero-kilometre product sales, cheese dairies, wine and txakoli cellars, craft businesses, and more.

Rural tourism and women: a powerful combination

An example of this transformation is the rural accommodations currently existing in the Basque Country, born from these baserri and family farms. At Nekatur, the association of rural accommodations in the Basque Country, many women lead these projects.

They are the hosts who welcome you upon arrival, make your stay an unforgettable experience, and put their soul into every detail: from the hospitality with which they open their doors, to preparing breakfast with local products, recommending what to do and see, or offering different experiences at the accommodation itself.

All of this ensures that your stay with us is 100% authentic. Choosing a rural accommodation associated with Nekatur not only provides a place to sleep, but also the opportunity to connect truly with rural life and experience authentic Basque hospitality.

From the etxekoandre of the past to today’s hosts, women have cared for the land, kept our language and culture alive, and passed on a way of life that, although professionalised today, continues to reflect what we have always known how to do: welcome the guest, care for them, and feed them. Our baserri are not just “places to stay”; they are spaces full of stories, flavours, and memories.

Ongi etorri zure etxera! Welcome to your home!