The first hypothesis made on the birth of this choir formation talks about the seminarians that gathered to sing chants, both sacred and popular. It is a more probable explanation that its birth was found in the 'Basque Societies': clubs spread along the south of the Basque Country where men on their spare time, gathered for amusement. This second hypothesis is the most probable, since a similar phenomenon can be found in the 'genoise Squadra', in which men gathered to sing after their work at the docks.

It could be supposed that the word "Otxote", that gives name to this choir formation, comes from the Spanish word "ocho" (eight) since it has no real meaning in Basque, where eight is said "Zortzi".

The first public appearance in the history of the Otxote, took place on November the 22nd in 1930 at the Bilbao Choral Society Chamber. At this occasion those responsible for directing the choir were no other than Jesús Guridi (choirmaster) and Jesús Arambarri (Assistant). From this first appearance, Otxotes enjoyed a moderate success until the middle 60s when a great number of performances were given. Basque language had been forbidden during the Franco years and therefore the songs ought to be sung in Spanish. Otxotes performed only in the Basque Country and they did it in a nearly clandestine way.

During the seventies this formation nearly disappeared. Currently there are few Otxotes in the Basque Country, and only one context. It takes place every year in Cambo les Bains, entering the competition 3 Otxotes from the north of the Basque Country and 3 from the south, whose members have been mostly selected from choirs of 20, 30 or 40 people.

No doubt there is a link between the Otxote and the Corsican Polyphonies and Genoise Squadra, as there is with certain formations in which men sing to nature, work and women. Everything leads us to think that men who enjoyed social life and needed to share their daily life, meals and traditions, have created these choral groups that we find nearly everywhere in Europe.

Since 1900 several songs coming from Russia or Eastern Europe have been adopted by Basque singers and have become part of their traditional repertoire. With no doubt has it been the similarity between harmonies that have made this reunion possible, its real cause being erased in the spirit by the strength and beauty of the enigma that lies beneath the origins of Basque people.