“The mendigoxale is, above all, the mountaineer out of patriotism” (Jemein). With this term (a neologism coined by Kirikiño, whose spelling has varied over time) the sector of Basque nationalist mountaineers has been designated which, throughout the 20th century, was characterized by its youth, radicalism, and independentism. Their own texts define the mendigoizale as follows: “an apostle of the Sabinian ideal and a soldier of the Basque homeland.”
First of all, he is above all a tenacious propagandist of the doctrine of Sabino Arana (founder of the PNV in 1895), whose ideas he spreads during his continual excursions through the mountains and countryside of Euskadi, distributing leaflets, pamphlets, and nationalist newspapers, and holding rallies on weekends. The mendigoizale is a faithful defender of the purity and radicalism of Arana’s thought in its first political phase (1893–1898). His uncompromising Sabinianism makes him decidedly independentist and leads him to militate mainly within the most radical wing of the Basque nationalist movement (the aberrianos of the 1910s and 1920s, the jagijagis of the 1930s).
In addition to Aranist doctrine, a good mendigoizale must know and use the Basque language, be familiar with the history and geography of Euskal Herria, sing and dance Basque songs and dances, be a practicing Catholic of good and wholesome customs (celebrating open-air masses, not swearing or dancing “close-hold” dances, etc.), and set an example of Basqueness and morality wherever he goes.
Secondly, the mendigoizale regards himself as a Basque warrior (gudari), who takes care of his physical training, practices sports (especially those considered racial), and undertakes long marches through the mountains of the country.
Because of his predisposition to sacrifice and even to give his life for his homeland, which he aspires to liberate (Jagi-Jagi; “Sacrifice for the Fatherland is the only path that will lead it to complete freedom”), and because of the paramilitary-type structure of his organization into small groups led by commanders, the mendigoizale movement is also the embryo of a future Basque army. In fact, the numerous groups of mendigoizales constituted the main recruiting ground for the nationalist militias (Euzko Gudaroztea) during the Spanish Civil War.