from the root aldu meaning "heights" and bide meaning "way". The romanisation into Aldudes is actually a plural. The following table details the origins of the commune name and other names in the commune. Sources: Orpustan: Jean-Baptiste Orpustan, New Basque Toponymy Mérimée: Ministry of Culture Mérimée database: Presentation of the Commune), Raymond: Topographic Dictionary of the Department of Basses-Pyrenees, 1863, on the page numbers indicated in the table. Origins: Camara: Titles of Camara de Comptos History The commune originated in the 16th century when young noblemen of the Baigory family founded the village which, by the ancient Basque succession rule, reserved the legacy of the family house exclusively to the eldest child. The parish was established in 1793. Heraldry Administration List of Successive Mayors Inter-communality The commune of Aldudes participates in five intercommunal organisations: the Communauté d'agglomération du Pays Basque the intercommunal association for the development and management of the slaughterhouse of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port the joint association of the watershed of the Nive the association to support Basque culture the energy association of Pyrénées-Atlantiques Population Economy A fish farm is active on the road to Urepel. Basque pig breeding is an activity in full revival in the Aldudes valley, under the leadership of the Technical Institute of Pork (ITP). The commune hosts the Ets Pierre Oteiza company (gourmet pork products) which is one of the fifty top agribusinesses in the department. It is part of the Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) zone of Ossau-iraty. Culture and heritage Languages According to the Map of the Seven Basque Provinces, published in 1863 by Prince Louis-Lucien Bonaparte, the dialect of Basque spoken in Aldudes is western Lower Navarrese dialect. Laxoa In 1952 the square in front of the church and the town hall was converted into a playing field for "laxoa". This ancient game of basque pelote is played with leather gloves. At the entrance porch of the church is the target for the game. Civil heritage The commune contains a number of sites that are registered as historical monuments: Houses and Farms (18th-19th century) The Menementa Farm (1827) The Iguxkagerrea Farm (18th century) The Joalginenborda Farm (19th century) Other sites of interest Cromlechs: There are three Harrespils on the Argibel site. These are great circles of stone or "menhirs" for funerary purposes, dated from the 1st millennium BC. The Harrespil are notable due to their number (over 100 registered) and their witness to knowledge