Jose Manuel Lujanbio Retegi (also known as Txirrita, [tʃiʁita]), born on Hernani in 1860 and died in Altza in 1936,[1] was a Basque composer of verse, known as bertsolaris.

He was born in the Ereñozu neighborhood of Hernani and when he was still a child, his family moved to a baserri in Errenteria named Txirrita, from whence he acquired his nickname.

Due to an accident he suffered in Goizueta in May 1936, on June 3 of the same year he died in the Gazteluene baserri, in Altza.

Txirrita composed his bertsos on the subject required and his nephew would write them down, later putting them into print, and after selling them on the fairs.

Although he was a skillful bricklayer, he didn't enjoy work, and at every opportunity he would seek out a tavern to drink, sing bertsos or bet.