“If a hypothesis is proved

it’s interesting,

 if not proved still interesting”

Academician A.Belopolski

   It’s worth to mention that as a phonetical unit Gagua reveals itself even in Georgian-Basque relationship.

   First we would like to make a quick glance at Georgian-Basque relationship based on works of famous Georgian specialists of Basque language Sh. Dzidziguri and I. Tabaghua.

  Linguists, historians, ethnographers, archeologists,anthropologists and other scientists of different countries have been a long time interested in Georgian-Basque relationship issues.

   The Basque people belong to the oldest European nation. At the same time they are the only tribe which doesn’t have the European origin. Nowadays they are situated the Peninsula (former Iberian Peninsula).

    Historically Iberian Kingdom was famous with its strength experiencing the most powerful period in the century of 8thB.C. In 2ndcentury it was conquered by Romans and the process of romanization was begun. As a result Iberian culture was fully extinguished and there are not remained any evidences of Iberian language. The tribe of Basque is the only tribe which is survived from this process. The Basque people have kept the language, customs and anthropological identity.

   In the world history there is another Iberia, Caucasian Iberia. Ideas about a relationship between eastern and western Iberia was announced even in 2nd-1stcenturies B.C. But these suggestions are not yet proved and are arguable.

  4stcentury greatest ecclesiastic figure Basil the Great talk about western Iberia in his work. In the Latin version of his work western Iberia is translated as Spain, in Georgian version by Giorgi Mtatsmindeli it is translated as western Georgia. This work is the first source which mentions about western Iberia and is obvious that relationship between eastern and western Iberianswas acknowledged even in this ancient period.

   In 10stcentury historical evidence, in which Giorgi Mtatsmindeli describes an episode of Ekvtime Mtatsmindeli life, we read: Father Ioane decided to carry with him his son and some of his students to Spania (Spain)…Ioane has heard that some of Georgian tribes were living in Spania (Spain).”

    No other source until 18stcentury mentions about Georgian-Spanish relationship. Nevertheless it’s interesting to mention about notes of 17stcentury French traveler Jean Sharden. In his notes he tells us an important story. Sharden was invited at royal banquet bythe king. At parting Georgian king Vakhtang V Shahnavaz asked him, how his relative Spanish king was feeling and drank a toast with a vase embroidered by precious stones. Sharden makes conclusion that this was in accordance with many scientists’ ideas about origins of Spanish from Iberians.

     As for 18stcentury written document. It is a reference about Timote Gabashvili'stravel trip to Mount Athos and his meeting with Athos Academy rector Evgeni Bulgarisi.

   The reference represents points of views of two philosophersand persons well informed about theological issues.

  The author is well aware of prevalentidea aboutrelationship between Georgians and Spanish. Rector of Athos Academy Evgeni Bulgarisi confirms with this idea. There are provided their opinions even about a possible dateof migration.

   This issue was discussed by many scientists in different periods of time, such as V. Humboldt, Bodrimon, Francois Diurko, Rene Lapon, etc.

    It will take a long time to make a detailed review of their points of views. We will deal with only the most important ones.

    Georgian tribes were pioneers of metal working. N.Mari suggests that Georgian-Caucasian people reached the Peninsula in order to get metal. Archeological evidences prove this idea unanimously. In 1965 archeologist Fuste excavated 5000 years old copper ore, where a number of skeletons were discovered (theirdeath was caused by avalanche). Fuste concludes that these skeletons belong to the late period of Caucasian race.

   Academician N. Vavilov suggests the following: “While traveling in more than sixty countries we have not seen the method of corn harvesting likeone in northern Spain. Lately we came across this method in Georgia – Lechkhumi. It was discovered endemic sort of corn, which genetically stands most closely with Spelta (Spanish sort of corn), therefore agriculturally and botanically there are found amazing binds between Spain and Georgia. At the same time corn itself and agrotechnicsrepresent such specific and unique product that there is no doubt in regard with the importance of this connection.

  As we have already mentioned samples of Iberian writing are not preserved, but there are fragments of old Iberian texts written in cuneiform script, which are not deciphered yet. In 70s of 20stcentury there was an attempt by Georgian researcher Shota Khvedelidze to solve the first sample of Iberian writing known as “Iberian engraving”. Georgian language and Megrelian dialectical language were chosen as a method of decoding. The issue was widely highlighted in Georgian and Russian press of that time.

    Sh. Khvedelidze in his article in journal “Teknika Molodezhi” says: “I am deeply impressed with the latest information with regard to Basque. American scientist Joseph Pul thinks that even in 13stcentury B.C. Basque were navigating in America. Yankee and Aztecs’ idols pagan names mentioned by Tur Heyerdahl such as virakocha, bochika, sua, gagua, gugu-matsi, etc. with their pronunciation seem to me similar to Georgian words.

   Finally the problem of redskin Indians – the most problematic issue. Bearded white man idols (as you know until 15stcentury that is to say until Columbus they must not have seen a white man).

   Even today a number of American tribes keep their memory. Who are they?

   Among the abovementioned Indian idol names two of them Bochika and Gagua represent not only Georgian words, but also are almost identical to Bochi and Gagu – Colchic and Iberian pagan idols.

   In Russian mythological dictionary you can find Chimini Gagua as a supreme idol of South American Indians.

  Our discussion doesn’t claim to anything. We just want to say that Gagu-Gagua represents an antique Colchic-Iberian phenomenon, encountered not only in European Basque, but also in far America and Ocean.

   P.S. We have discovered recently that some local people living in Philippines have the surname Gagua. These people contacted us via this web-site and expressed a wish to learn more about the origin of their surname. The similar situation was in Argentina. 

   Once again we will try to extend our discussion as a hypothesis.

    One group of scientists believes that before building the Tower of Babel people were talking the same language and it is Georgian language with Iberian origin what is left from this common language. 9stcentury Georgian Christian monk and religious writer Ioane-Zosime in his work: "Praise and Exaltation of the Georgian Language" imbues the Georgian language with religious connotation as the tongue to be used on the Judgment Day.

  According to Georgian and Foreign researchers in prehistoric period territories of Egypt, Ethiopia, Mesopotamia, and the Mediterranean were inhabited with tribes having Iberian origin. Crete -Minos culture also is regarded as Iberian. Itis consideredas cultural continuation of drowned Atlantida. Pasiphae, Minos’ wife,is a daughter of Aietes and a sister of mythological Medea. Kirke, a mother of Rome’s founder, is a sister of Aietes. Mythical Trojans (archeological excavations in 19stcentury proved its real existence), Pelasgians, Etruscans, Sords, Sikiles (from which geographical names of Sardinia and Sicily are derived), Pyrenean Iberians and other people are considered as Iberians.

  As we already mentionedthese people were outstanding sailors and were traveling in different regions.

  Ilia Tabaghua states that in Europe as well as in America, Africa, Indonesia and other places we still can find geographical names, the origin of which can only be explained by Iberian language.

  Apart from mythology it can be implied that along with geographical titles ancient idols' namesshould have been expended by Iberians in the areas where they were traveling.

  We can imply that Iberian idol pagan name Gagu became a base first for name and further for surname not only in Iberian tribes, but also in aborigine tribes while their traveling.

  As for Iberian tribes they were mixed with Indo-European tribes and experienced some elinization and romanization.