Sports

Traditional Basque sports (known collectively as herri kirolak) practically all originate from farm work, such as grass cutting, log cutting, weight pulling, etc., and became sports through challenges and wagers. They are extremely popular, and village fêtes are often used as opportunities to stage exhibitions or contests with competitors from outside the area or with local people. There is a group based in the municipality of Zigoitia which works to maintain this tradition.

One of the most popular traditional sports in Alava/ Araba is the local version of bowls. Most villages have a bowling alley (called bolatoki in Basque), and many of them have now been roofed and incorporated into local residents' clubs (txokos).

The game of pelota is also traditionally very strong in the area, and most of the major towns and villages have an indoor court for evening matches, amateur competitions and professional tournaments during local fêtes.