Tradition: Basque Mythology, Spanish Mythology
Alternative Names: Mairu, Maideak, Mairiak, Saindi Maidi, Intxisu
Category: Giant
The Myth
The Mairuak are giants in Basque mythology, traditionally associated with the construction of ancient stone monuments in mountainous regions. They were believed to have built dolmens and harrespil, stone structures found in the mountains of the Basque Country. Their association with these megalithic monuments connects them to the legendary peoples who were thought to have inhabited the region before the arrival of Christianity.
The Mairuak are also known by several regional names. In Lower Navarre, they are called Saindi Maidi, while in the Bidasoa valley they are known as Intxisu. Other names include Maideak and Mairiak. They are frequently associated with the lamia, another supernatural being found throughout Basque mythology.
The name Mairu may derive from a Basque word meaning “Moor.” In traditional usage, the term was associated with non-Christian peoples and earlier civilizations, particularly those credited with constructing megalithic monuments. The Mairuak share similarities with the mouros encantados of Portuguese folklore, or moros encantados in Spanish, supernatural figures believed to preserve the memory of ancient, pre-Roman deities.
Sources
“Mairu.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 16, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mairu