Before Christianity, the ancient Basques worshipped several pagan deities, but their most important God appears to have been a female earth deity called Mari.
Besides their language, we know a bit about ancient Basque people from ancient stories passed down for many generations and significant archaeological evidence recovered in the region.
Although they are situated in a desirable region of Europe, the Basque people, long sheltered by the lofty Pyrenees mountain range, have succeeded in protecting their ancient identity.
A regional poll taken after the Catalonia referendum showed that more than 40% of Basque people want further self governance, but only around 20% actually want total independence.
Compared to their neighbors across the border back in Spain, the French Basques seem more integrated into French culture. You hear the language less on this side of the border.