Agote

Agote is the name given to a historical, marginalized group in the Basque Country and surrounding areas during the Late Middle Ages and early modern period. The term was used across different localities in what is now northern Spain and parts of southwestern France, and its exact geographic and social boundaries varied over time.

The origin of the word agote is uncertain and debated among scholars. Some proposals derive it from Basque or Romance linguistic roots, while others suggest it emerged from external labels used by authorities and communities. Regardless of etymology, agotes were widely identified as a stigmatized group, distinct from neighboring populations.

Historically, agotes faced systematic discrimination and social exclusion. They were accused—often without basis—of contagious diseases or religious deviation, and in many locales faced restrictions that curtailed participation in ordinary civic and religious life. In some areas they were required to wear signs or live in segregated quarters, and they endured limits on marriage and movement. The level and form of persecution varied by province and era, but discrimination was a persistent feature.

Economically, agotes were commonly linked to specific trades deemed “unclean” or marginal, such as leather tanning and hide processing, though occupations assigned to them could shift over time and place. They were often subject to special regulations and coercive notices that reinforced their lower social status.

In modern times, the agote have been recognized as a victims’ group within the broader history of discrimination in the region. Scholars, regional governments, and cultural institutions have documented their experience, contributing to memory, education, and research on this chapter of Basque and Pyrenean history.