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Basque Cross and Nkontim Symbol
(The Lauburu)
The Basque Cross shape is called a Lauburu, an ancient symbol of prosperity. In the Basque language lau-buru means 'four mountain peaks' and it is possible this term gave rise to the name of Labarum.
In West Africa there is a hill called Nkontim and the Nkontim Symbol has a similar characteristics, though completely unrelated to the Basque Cross.
Basque Cross
(Lauburu)
Basque Cross
Stela marker with lauburu
The Basque Cross shape is called a Lauburu, an ancient symbol of prosperity. In the Basque language lau-buru means 'four mountain peaks' ('four heads' or 'four tips') and it is possible this term gave rise to the name of Labarum.
In the Basque Country, the symbol became popular in the 16th century art either as a representation of the four Medieval regions (Araba, Biscay, Gipuzkoa and Navarre) or as a Christian Cross (following the Reconquista). The symbol does not appear on the Basque Flag or the coats-of-arms of the seven regions (Álava, Bizkaia, Guipúzcoa, Navarra, Behe Nafarroa, Lapurdi and Zuberoa).
Nkontim Symbol
Nkontim symbol
A symbol with similar characteristics, though completely unrelated to the Basque Cross, is the African Nkontim. (Just as the word lau-buru is associated with mountains, there is a hill in Cameroon called Nkontim.)
The symbol's hairy and industrious image gives a clue to its meaning:
- Nkontim is an Adinkra (West African) symbol meaning 'loyalty and readiness to serve'. (See www.mycustomstationery.com/resources/adinkra/)
- Nkontim in English is 'Hair of the queen's servant'. Not an everyday word, of course; English and French are the most widely spoken languages in the area. But keeping traditional cultures alive is good for everyone.
The symbol can be seen painted on the shells of African drums sold to tourists.
The swirling cross is also seen in the Suavastika, the Curved Cross and several others.
