etxea=echea; etxaberria=new house; etxazarra=old house; etxaguren=the farside of the house

Laracochea is the family name of my great grandmother in the maternal side. It is basque in origin. A central concept in Basque Identity is belonging, not only to the Basque people but to a house; known in basque language as etxea. It is one of the most common roots of Basque surnames. Basque society is maternalistic in nature as far as the household is concerned. Etxekandere in basque means a spiritual head of the house, a woman who looks after the blessings and prayers for all house members wherever they are, living or dead.

The Basques are the oldest living nation group in Europe if not the world who have not been uprooted from the land of their forefathers. They occupy areas of France and Spain bordering the coast. Throughout history they have survived various incursions from Charlemagne to the Great Roman Empire, none of which have been able to subjugate this group of people. Having withstood the test of time, it has been foretold that as a testament to their sense of identity they shall endure long after the nation-state as an institution has ceased to exist. For after all, in accord with a basque aphorism which I found endearing, 4 + 1 = 3.