Agosti Xaho

{{Short description|Basque writer (1811–1858)}}

{{Expand French|topic=bio|date=February 2022}}

{{Expand Basque|Agosti Xaho|date=November 2022}}

{{Infobox writer

| name = Agosti Xaho

| image = Agosti Xaho - portreta.jpg

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1811|10|10}}

| death_date = {{Death date and age|1858|10|23|1811|10|10}}

| occupation = Politician, journalist and writer

| birth_name = Agosti Xaho Lagarde

| birth_place = Tardets-Sorholus, Basses-Pyrénées, French Empire

| death_place = Bayonne, Basses-Pyrénées, French Empire

| resting_place = San Leon cemetery (Bayonne)

| language = Basque & French

| movement = Romanticism

| signature = Xaho izenpedura - signature Chaho.jpg

}}

File:Agosti Xaho San Leon hilerrian.jpg

Augustin Chaho in French or Agosti XahoZabaltza, X. 2011: Agosti Xaho. Aitzindari bakartia (1811-1858), Gasteiz, Eusko Jaurlaritzaren Argitalpen Zerbitzu Nagusia in Basque was an important Romantic Basque writer. He was born in Tardets (Atharratze in basque), Soule, French Basqueland on 10 October 1811 and died in Bayonne (Baiona in Basque), Labourd 23 October 1858. He is considered a precursor of left-wing Basque patriotism.Zabaltza, X. 2011: Agosti Xaho. Aitzindari bakartia (1811-1858), Gasteiz, Eusko Jaurlaritzaren Argitalpen Zerbitzu Nagusia

It is usually said that he studied in Paris with Charles Nodier. In Paris, he developed his esoteric thought.Azurmendi, J. 2020: Pentsamenduaren historia Euskal Herrian, Andoain, Jakin.

He wrote Travel to Navarre during the insurrection of the Basques (1830-1835) (1836, in French, on his experiences in the First Carlist War, which he interprets as an ethnic war of Basques against Spain that would bring about an independent Basque republic.Azurmendi, J. 2020: Pentsamenduaren historia Euskal Herrian, Andoain, Jakin.), The Legend of Aitor (in which he invented a national creation myth, that had great acceptance for some time)Azurmendi, J. 2020: Pentsamenduaren historia Euskal Herrian, Andoain, Jakin. pp.341–342. and Azti-Begia (The Soothsayer's Eye in Souletin Basque).

He was a supporter of republicanism and became a councilor in Bayonne and the Basses-Pyrénées department. He headed the revolution of 1848 in Bayonne. After the Bonapartist coup of 1851, he escaped to Vitoria (Gasteiz in Basque), in Alava, Spanish Basque land.