Editing Cagot (section)

{{Short description|Historically persecuted people}}
{{distinguish|Kago}}
{{redirect|Agote|the Argentine physician|Luis Agote}}
{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group            = Cagots 
| native_name      = {{lang|fr|Cagots}}/{{lang|es|Agotes}}
| image            = Agotes Navarre espagnole.jpg
| image_caption    = A collage of photos taken of Agotes in {{ill|Bozate|es}} at the beginning of the 20th Century
| total            = Unknown
| regions          = [[Spain]] ([[Basque Country (autonomous community)|Basque Country]] and [[Navarre]]) and [[France]] ([[Nouvelle-Aquitaine]] and [[Occitania (administrative region)|Occitania]])
| region1          = 
| pop1             = 
| ref1             = 
| languages        = [[French language|French]], [[Occitan language|Occitan]], [[Spanish (language)|Spanish]], [[Basque language|Basque]]
| religions        = Predominately [[Roman Catholicism]], with a minority [[Calvinism]] 
| related_groups   = [[Caquins of Brittany|Caquins]], [[Cascarots]], [[Occitans]], [[Castilians]]
}}
The '''''Cagots''''' ({{IPA|fr|ka.ɡo|pron}}) were a persecuted minority who lived in the west of France and northern Spain: the [[Navarre]]se [[Pyrenees]], [[Basque Country (historical territory)|Basque]] provinces, [[Béarn]], [[Aragón]], [[Gascony]] and [[Brittany]]. Evidence of the group exists as far back as 1000 CE. The name they were known by varied across the regions where they lived.{{efn|See [[Cagot#Variations|Name Variations]]}}

The origins of the Cagots remain uncertain, with various hypotheses proposed throughout history. Some theories suggest they were descendants of biblical or legendary figures cursed of God, or the descendants of [[Leprosy#Middle Ages|medieval lepers]], while others propose they were related to the [[Cathars]] or even a fallen guild of carpenters. Some suggest descent from a variety of other marginalized racial or religious groups. Despite the varied and often mythical explanations for their origins, the only consistent aspect of the Cagots was their societal exclusion and the lack of any distinct physical or cultural traits differentiating them from the general population.

The discriminatory treatment they faced included [[Geographical segregation#Social segregation and gentrification|social segregation]] and restrictions on marriage and occupation. Despite laws and edicts from higher levels of government and religious authorities, this discrimination persisted into the 20th century.

The Cagots no longer form a separate social class and were largely [[Cultural assimilation|assimilated]] into the general population. Very little of Cagot culture still exists, as most descendants of Cagots have preferred not to be known as such.