Herria

Herria is a term rooted in the Basque language that is used in several related, but distinct, senses to denote a community, locality, or people. In Basque, the word derives from herri, meaning village or town, with the definite article suffix -a, yielding a noun that can mean “the town” or, more broadly, “the people.” The exact sense depends on context and usage.

In everyday Basque, herria can refer to the local community or homeland. It appears in expressions such as gura herria? (our town/our people) and is common in political discourse, cultural writing, and journalism to evoke collective identity and local belonging.

Geographically, herria is not a single internationally recognized political entity. It shows up in place names and organizational titles within Basque-speaking regions and in fictional works. It can also function as a proper noun in literature or media as a stylized name for a place or community.

Culturally, the concept of herria often aligns with ideas of local governance, mutual aid, and cultural heritage, reflecting Basque perceptions of community and regional identity. The term coexists with related forms such as herriak (the towns) and herrialde (the country or region) in Basque.

See also: Basque language, Herri, Herrialde, Basque Country.