"Goose day" in Lekeitio

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Goose day in Lekeitio. Photo: EFE

The San Antolin festival, which takes place between the 1st and 8th September, reaches its peak on the 5th September with the “Antzar Eguna” or the day of the geese, one of the most popular festivals in the province. It is a spectacular and original tradition with deep roots in ancient rituals, although there is documented evidence dating back more than 350 years.

Saint Antolin’s Day in Lekeitio (Bizkaia) marks the day on which they “run the goose”, in the way of an age-old fiesta once celebrated the length and breadth of the country. The game consists of decapitating a dead goose hanging from a rope in the middle of the harbour – with nothing but their arms.

Coming alongside the hanging goose, the youngster grabs the neck of the animal and jumps into the water. Meanwhile, a group of “sailors” pull the ends of the rope, sending both goose and youngster into the air, subsequently letting it go and dropping them back into the water. The idea is to try and get the animal’s head off while withstanding this vigorous jostling.

Traditionally, the “Antzar Eguna” has been held in the San Antolín festival since 1877, but at certain times in the past it was celebrated in the Andra Mari festival in August, or in San Roque. Also, it used to be in the village square, but since 1722 the event has taken place in water.

We therefore know that since 1622 only the sailors participated with the geese and that the boats that were used to approach the goose had to have 12 rowers plus the skipper. If there was any doubt as to the winner, the solution used to be to hold a boat race, going round the Island of San Nicolás, opposite the Lekeitio Bay.