The MAKILA is the Basque man's traditional baton. The AINCIART-BERGARA Family has manufactured them with great care for many generations (before 1789). Entirely handcrafted, the wild media-tree is first worked upon when still in the ground.
When the sap rises, the craftsman starts carving designs on the bark with a knife. Late on, the color is given by a special process known of the family alone.
Two coats of arms are carved on the baton. On the upper part, there is a sting of threaded wrought iron which can be seen when unscrewing the handle; below, a genuine club which balances the MAKILA for walking. The brass, nickel-silver or silver collars are cut alongside the diameter of the wood, then brazed and embossed. The bottom one bears our signature. The upper part is crowned by a pommel made of horn which forms one body with an eight inch sheet-iron handle covered with an original braid, the secret of which has not yet been discovered.

Makila of Honor

On the MAKILA said "of honor," the handle is entirely made of nickel-silver or silver. The sphere is made up of two parts rounded off with a hammer and brazed through a forge. No seam can be seen.
A great many of our makilas of honor manufactured in our workshop have been offered to famous people who have greatly appreciated this original gift: Popes Benoit XV and Pie X, the Tsar of Russia, Marshals Joffre, Foch, Petain, Mongomery, General de Gaulle, King Boris of Bulgaria, Queen Wilhelmine of Holland, President Pompidou, etc. ..., President Reagan and Saddam Hussein (ugh!)

Preservation
The wood of the media-tree must be taken care of by rubbing it with walnuts.

Makilaria Fernando Caminondo MAKILARIA - FERNANDO CAMINONDO Born in Luzaide, Navarra, Spain, Fernando Caminondo came to the U.S.A. in 1989. He met Anita Recatune when she was visiting Spain, followed her to America, and won her hand in marriage. TWO years later, Fernando joined our Klika as the makilaria. This made Fernando feel right at home. Fernando has been a dancer and makilaria since age 12 and was used to going from village to village performing in France and Spain. Fernando learned his makilaria skills from his cousin, later passing his talents on to his younger brother who is taking his place in Spain. Fernando's style has definitely added a unique pizazz to the Klika!