Makila
The traditional Basque walking stick
The makila is the walking stick of the Basques, used either as a travelling companion or as a symbol of authority and respect.
It is a cane made entirely by hand, with a manufacturing process that can last between 5-10 years, which has remained intact for centuries.
The reliefs on the wood come from incisions made in the wild medlar tree in the forest. In this way, the sap that runs up the branch of the tree passes through the cuts and forms the characteristic patterns of the makila. Once cut in winter, it is debarked in the kiln, dyed with quicklime and straightened in the heat. It takes 5-10 years to dry, as it has to be straightened several times to become a straight makila. Once prepared, the lower part of the rod is covered with a brass, nickel silver or silver ferrule, carefully hand-chiselled with Basque motifs. The upper part is crowned with a horn handle that takes shape in a threaded tube covered with braided leather. For the makila of honour, the handle is made entirely of silver or nickel silver. It is customary to offer a makila to any person to be honoured. As a personal or professional recognition of respect, it is an appropriate gift for retirements, company gifts, weddings, birthdays, etc… any deserving event.
The makila is a popular product, but it has also found its way into illustrious hands such as kings, popes, politicians, artists, sportsmen, etc.
The makila is the walking stick of the Basques, used either as a travelling companion or as a symbol of authority and respect.
It is a walking stick made entirely by hand, with a manufacturing process that can last between 5-10 years, which has remained intact for centuries.
The reliefs of the wood come from incisions made on the wild medlar tree in the forest. In this way, the sap that rises through the branch of the tree, goes through the cuts and forms the drawings that are characteristic of the makila. Cut in winter, it is debarked in the oven, dyed with quicklime and straightened in the heat. It has a drying process of between 5-10 years, since it has to be straightened several times to become a straight makila. Once prepared, the rod is covered on its lower part by a brass, alpaca or silver ferrule, carefully hand chiseled with Basque motifs. The upper part is crowned by a horn handle that takes shape in a threaded tube covered with braided leather. For the makila called makila of honor, the handle is entirely made of silver or alpaca. It is customary to offer a makila to any person to be honored. As a personal or professional recognition of respect, it is an appropriate gift for retirements, company gifts, weddings, birthdays, etc… any event worthy of merit.
The makila is a popular product, but it has also reached illustrious hands such as kings, popes, politicians, artists, sportsmen, etc.
Parts of the makila
The knob
The knob, made of horn. In the past, ox horn was used for this purpose.
The upper bushing
A cap holds the leather handle, while pressing on the knob. It is on this cap that dedications and sentences are engraved, according to the taste of each recipient or customer.
The handle
The handle is a tube covered with kid skin . After making several strips of kid skin, the craftsman plaits them together to cover the tube. However, the makila de honor has a handle made entirely of silver or nickel silver.
The tip
The tip is hidden under the handle. Usually made of stainless steel.
The bushing
Another cap is usually placed on the lower part of the makila. On it, the craftsman has engraved typical Basque Graffiti motifs.
Wood
Medlar wood is often decorated with special shapes. The medlar is the only tree that, by healing the wounds previously made by the craftsman, ornaments its skin to create original reliefs. For this reason, it is the most suitable for making the makila.
The toe cap
The toe of the makila that touches the ground is usually made of steel.
Phrases of the makila
On the upper cap of the makila there is a space reserved for each customer to have the customer can have the artisan engrave the phrase of his choice, These are usually short dedications with meaningful words. Some have become typical and others stand out for their originality. These are some of the phrases that can be read on the makilas:
Hitza hitz
– The word is the word
Hitzemana zor
– As promised
Ihes etsaiak
– Run away enemies
Nerekin beti zuzen
– Always straight with me
Nere bideko laguna
– My companion on the way
Nerekin inoren beldur
– With me there is no fear of anyone
Nere laguna eta laguntza
– My partner and help
