Basque is the term for an ethnic group of Tau'ri from the Basque country.
The Alavans culture and people resemble the Basques in northern Spain and southern France to such a degree, Dr. Avery Freeman, who wrote her thesis on the medieval Basques, thought they were transplanted from Basque country to Alava. According to the Alavans themselves, Mari brought them to Alava. (RPG: "The Eyes of the Storm")