Mestizo
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Mestizo (Portuguese, Mesti�o; French, M�tis: from Late Latin mixticius, from Latin mixtus, past participle of miscere, "to mix") is a term of Spanish origin used to designate people of mixed European and indigenous non-European ancestry. The term has traditionally been applied mostly to those of mixed European and indigenous Amerindian ancestry who inhabit the region spanning the Americas; from the Canadian prairies in the north to Argentina and Chile's Patagonia in the south.
In other regions and countries previously under Spanish, Portuguese or French colonial rule, variants of the term may also be in usage for people of other colonial European and indigenous non-European (Asian, African, and Oceanianic, etc.) mixtures. In the Philippines, the term Mestizo is a broad reference to individuals of any non-specific foreign admixture to an ethnic Filipino base stock.
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Americas
Hispanic America and Brazil
The Mestizo/Mesti�o
Mestizos are thought to make up the majority of the populations of Colombia (58%), Ecuador (65%), El Salvador (90%), Honduras2 (90%), Mexico2 (60%), Nicaragua (69%), Panama2 (70%), Paraguay (95%) and Venezuela (67%).
In other American countries where mestizos do not constitute a majority, they nonetheless represent a significant portion of their populations; Argentina3 (approx. 3%), Belize (49%), Bolivia (30%), Peru (37%), and Uruguay3 (8%). In Brazil, the word "mesti�o" is used to describe individuals born from any mixture of different ethnicities, not only First Nations and European; individuals that fit this specific case are commonly known as caboclos or, more commonly in the past, mamelucos. In the Brazilian State of Amazon, in the North of the country, there is the "[[Dia do Mesti�o]]" (Day of the Mestizo), on June, 27. In Chile1 and Costa Rica mestizos are combined with whites and accounted for as a single figure.
In Mexico and Peru, mestizo has also come to be used as a cultural label. In a cultural context, people are considered ind�gena (Amerindian) if they live following their traditional ways of life (clothing, customs and indigenous languages), otherwise they are also deemed mestizo, or what in Central America would be called a ladino. Additionally in the Mexican case, most of the Afro-Mexican minority would also simply identify as mestizo by virtue of their cultural traits, rather than as black, mulatto or zambo by their ancestry. These cultural implications of "mestizo" can result in an overcount of the population - in the Mexican case, as high as 80% according to some sources - which would otherwise be mestizo on a racial level. Also, race is not recorded by the Mexican nor Peruvian census, so that any calculations performed by government bodies or independent agencies are always estimates.
Furthermore, though Cuba and the Dominican Republic are recorded as primarily mulatto nations, evidence of Amerindian bloodlines exists and traces of indigenous Taino culture are ubiquitous.
Mestizos from Hispanic America in Europe
The first mestizos of whom there is verified evidence of having set foot on European soil are the grandchildren of Moctezuma II, Aztec emperor of Mexico, whose royal descent the Spanish crown acknowledged. Of this family, the most infamous descendants are the Counts of Miravalle, in [[Andaluc�a]], Spain, who even today demand the payment of the so called "Moctezuma pensions" by the Mexican government. The interest alone of said pensions it is said would suffice for every single one of Moctezuma's modern descendants to live comfortable and luxurious lives.
[[Mart�n Cort�s]], son of the Spanish conquistador [[Hern�n Cort�s]] and of the [[N�huatl]]-Maya indigenous Mexican interpreter Malinche, in fact arrived first, however, he was exiled to Spain as punishment for leading a rebellion.
From Peru also arrived the mestizo historian known as "El Inca" Garcilaso de la Vega, son of conquistador Sebasti�n Garcilaso de la Vega and of the Inca princess Isabel Chimpo Oclloun. He lived in the town of Montilla, in [[Andaluc�a]], where he died in 1616.
Starting from the early 1970s and throughout all of the 1980s, Europe saw the arrival of thousands of Chileans, both mestizos and whites, seeking political refuge during the dictatorial government of Augusto Pinochet. Today, there is a growing number of mestizo immigrants in Western Europe, primarily from Ecuador and Colombia.
Canada
The M�tis
In Canada, the M�tis are regarded as an independent ethnic group. This community of descent consists of individuals descended from marriages of First Nation women, specifically Cree, Ojibway and Saulteaux with French Canadian and British employees of the Hudson's Bay Company. Their history dates to the mid 17th century, and they have been recognized as a people since the early eighteenth.
Their territory roughly includes the three Prairie Provinces (Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan), parts of Ontario, British Columbia and the Northwest Territories, as well as parts of the northern United States (including North Dakota and Montana).
Traditionally, the M�tis spoke a mixed language called Michif (with various regional dialects). Michif (a phonetic spelling of the M�tis pronunciation of M�tif, a variant of M�tis) is also used as the name of the M�tis people. The name is most commonly applied to descendants of communities in what is now southern Manitoba. The name is also applied to the descendants of similar communities in what are now Ontario, Quebec, Labrador and the Northwest Territories, although these groups' histories are different from that of the western M�tis.
Estimates of the number of M�tis vary from 300,000 to 700,000 or more. In September 2002, the M�tis people adopted a national definition of M�tis for citizenship within the "M�tis Nation". Based on this definition, it is estimated that there are 350,000 to 400,000 M�tis Nation citizens in Canada , although many M�tis classify anyoneas M�tis that can prove that an ancestor applied for money scrip or land scrip as part of nineteenth-century treaties with the Canadian government.
The M�tis are not recognized as a First Nation by the Canadian government and do not receive the benefits granted to First Nation peoples (see Indian Act). However, the new Canadian constitution of 1982 recognizes the M�tis as an Aboriginal people and has enabled individual M�tis to sue successfully for recognition of their traditional rights, such as rights to hunt and trap. In 2003, a court ruling in Ontario found that the M�tis deserve the same rights as other aboriginal communities in Canada.
The United States
"Mixed-Bloods" and Mestizos
In the United States the term "mixed-blood" is more often employed for non-Hispanic individuals of mixed European and Native American ancestry, while mestizo is the term of choice for Hispanic individuals (whether U.S.-born or immigrant) of that same mixed ancestry.
Of the Mexican Americans who have lived in the Southwestern United States for several generations prior to annexation and incorporation of that region into the United States - previously a part of Mexico - many classify themselves as mestizo, particularly those who also identify as Chicano. See also Tejanos.
Of the over 35 million Hispanics counted in the Federal 2000 Census, the overwhelming majority of the 42.2% who identified as "some other race" ([1]) are believed to be mestizos. Of the 47.9% of Hispanics who identified as White Hispanic, many are thought to possess at least some Amerindian ancestry. Hispanics identifying as multiracial amounted to 6.3% (2.2 million) of all Hispanics and presumably included many mestizos.
Renowned mixed-blooded persons in United States' history are many. One such example is Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, who guided the Mormon Battalion from New Mexico to the city of San Diego in California in 1846, and then accepted an appointment there as alcalde of Mission San Luis Rey. His father, Toussaint Charbonneau, was a French Canadian interpreter, and his mother Sacagawea was the Shoshone guide of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. He can be found depicted on the United States dollar coin along with his mother, Sacagawea.
The group of Americans in the Appalachia region known as Melungeons are another mixed-race population. See also Passing.
Asia
The Philippines
During the early colonial period of the Philippines, the term "Mestizo" originally referred only to those of mixed Filipino and Spanish or Mexican ancestry. However, the term soon became generic and synonymous for "mixed race".
The term has since been freely used to refer to all Filipinos of physically traceable mixed ancestry, irrespective of racial combination or ratio, but typically including an ethnic Filipino base stock. A recent genetic study by Stanford University, indicates that 3.6% of the population have Spanish, Mexican or other European ancestries.
See also Demographics of the Philippines and Ethnic groups of the Philippines.
Modern day Filipino mestizos include the already mentioned Filipinos with Spanish ancestry or Filipinos mixed with Chinese, Japanese (those of mixed Filipino and Japanese descent) and/or American ancestry (those of mixed Filipino and American4 descent), et cetera. Although those Filipinos of Chinese, Japanese and other East Asian ancestry is also interchangeably referred to as "Chinito/a" (diminutive of Chino/a; Chinese) to specify the type of racial Mestizo background, this would more correctly be applied only to those mestizos of Chinese descent. More correct terms denoting Filipino-Chinese mestizos include Sangley and the vernacular "Tsinoy". That of Spanish and Chinese would be Tornatras.
Mestizo ascendancy
In contrast to Latin America, where mestizos (European/Amerindian) quickly came to comprise the majority of the population, in the Philippines the combined number of all types of Filipino mestizos never accounted for more than 4% of a population which, apart from a Spanish, Mexican and Chinese minority which numbered fewer than the mestizos, was mainly and predominantly native Filipino. Upon the retreat of Spain and Mexico at the end of colonial occupation, people of mestizo ancestry were able to position themselves at the top of a caste-based social structure which the Spanish had previously established and dominated. As a result, mestizos held the greatest governing influence in the country, almost absolute control of commerce and industry, and an excessively disproportionate share of wealth.
Conversely, their Latin American mestizo counterparts, who by then comprised the common majority of Latin America, possessed little governing influence, lived at subsistence levels, and were ruled by an established criollo population (Americas-born persons deemed of legally unmixed Spanish ancestry) that was to remain in power. In essence, the absence of a post-colonial population of insulares (Philippine-born persons deemed of legally unmixed Spanish ancestry) presence in the Philippines allowed the small minority of Filipino mestizos to fill the roles vacated by the insulares, unlike the situation in Latin America, where the criollos had by that time formed a relatively large population.
During the late 19th century, Filipino mestizos initiated most movements and revolts against Spain. One such movement lead by the national hero of the Philippines, Filipino-Chinese mestizo [[Jos� Rizal]], was the Propaganda Movement. Although these movements failed to achieve their intended goals, Filipino mestizos also initiated the calls for Filipino revolt and, with the aid of the Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American War, subsequently achieved independence.
By the time the Philippines had gained independence from Spain, Filipino mestizos had placed themselves as the fundamental role players in the founding of the modern Philippine government, and in the majority of its key positions. The first president of the First Philippine Republic, Emilio Aguinaldo, was a Filipino-Chinese mestizo, while the next and first president of the Philippine Commonwealth, Manuel L. Quez�n, was a Filipino-Spanish mestizo.
Today, despite constituting one of the smallest minorities, mestizos continue to hold a monopoly over the country?s economic oligarchic political systems.
Filipino-Spanish mestizos have long constituted the great majority of the upper and middle class and rarely intermingle with those outside their ethnic group. Today, a great majority are in politics, including high-ranked executives of commerce and industry, entertainment or in sporting ranks and hold great control over the country's economy.
Filipino-Chinese mestizos also form part of both the upper and middle classes. Most are successful and prosperous business people, and also highly involved in the running of the country. Some are also in the entertainment industry.
Two famous Filipina-Spanish mestizas residing outside of the Philippines are Isabel Preysler, mother of pop singer Enrique Iglesias and ex-wife of Spanish music legend Julio Iglesias; and Lalaine Vergara, more commonly known for playing "Miranda S�nchez" (a Mexican-American character) on Disney Channel's highly-rated show, Lizzie McGuire.
East Timor
In the former Portuguese colony of East Timor, the term mesti�o applied to those of mixed native East Timorese and Portuguese ancestry. They form 1% of the population. Prominent mesti�os in East Timor include Prime Minister (formerly Foreign Minister) [[Jos� Ramos Horta]].
China
Macau
In the former Portuguese colony of Macau - a small territory on the southern coast of China, previously the oldest European colony in China, dating to the 16th century - the name mesti�o was applied to those of mixed Portuguese and Chinese ancestry. They form a small, around 1% [2], but relatively affluent minority of Macau's population. They are also known locally as Macanese.
Broadly, "Macanese"refers to all permanent residents of Macau, more narrowly it refers to the mixed-race community, the Macanese people. Macanese may also refer to their Macanese language (Patu� or Macaista Chapado), which is almost extinct. They are typically a prosperous class.
Many Macanese mesti�os immigrated to Portugal when sovereignty over Macau was transferred to the People's Republic of China in 1999, and Macau became a Special Administrative Region of the PRC. Some also immigrated to the United States (California), Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Peru.
India
Goa
In Goa - formely Portuguese India - the term descendentes was applied to mesti�os of Portuguese and Indian ancestry. Though their European lineage is not English, they are often called Anglo Indians, as a result of the legal definition of that latter term encompassing persons "whose father or any of whose other male progenitors in the male line is or was of European descent."
Africa
Portuguese-speaking Africa
S�o Tom� & Pr�ncipe and Cape Verde
In both countries, the great majority of their current populations descend from the mixing of the Portuguese that initially settled the islands from the 15th Century onwards and the black Africans brought from the African mainland to work as slaves - mostly from Benin, Gabon, and the Congo.
Of S�o Tom� & Pr�cipe's 193,413 inhabitants, the largest segement is defined as mesti�o [3], and 71 % of the population of Cape Verde is also classified as such. [4]
Currently, the most prominent and internationally known mesti�o of S�o Tom� and Pr�ncipe is president Fradique de Menezes.
Angola and Mozambique
In the other two Portuguese-speaking African countries including Angola and Mozambique, the term mesti�o is also used to describe people of mixed European and African ancestry.
In both countries they constitue small but important minorities; 2% in Angola [5] and 0.2% in Mozambique[6]
French-speaking Africa
[[M�tis]] (feminine M�tisse) in French-speaking Africa is used to describe people of mixed European and native African ancestry.
In any French-speaking Africa country in which m�tis may be found, they constitute (1%) of the population.
Trivia
- Since the late 1990s, the term is also used for a new musical genre. Artist like Manu Chao, Amparanoia, and many other bands create a blend of Urban Spanish music Latin, salsa, Reggae, Punk, Ska and Rock.
- The sixth book of the popular Harry Potter series, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" was supposed to be titled "Harry Potter y el Pr�ncipe Mestizo" in Spanish speaking countries, a translation which introduces connotations beyond the original meaning of the title in English. It finally will be titled "Harry Potter y el misterio del Principe", or "Harry Potter and Mystery of the Prince" attending to the publisher Company last minute decision.
Famous mestizos
- Benjamin Bratt, American actor, indigenous Peruvian mother and Anglo-German father
- Pilita Corrales, Filipina folk singer
- [[Porfirio D�az]], Mexican president and dictator
- "El Inca" Garcilaso de la Vega, Peruvian poet, writer and historian
- [[Jennifer L�pez]], Puerto Rican-American singer-songwriter and actress
- [[Jos� Ramos Horta]], East Timorese Prime Minister.
- [[Jos� Eduardo Agualusa]], Luso-Angolan author whose work revolves around the mixed history of Portugal, Angola and Brazil
- Enrique Iglesias, Spanish actor and singer, Spanish father and Filipina (Filipino-Spanish mestiza) mother
- [[Thal�a]], Mexican singer and actress
- Julio Jaramillo, Ecuadorian folk singer
- Q'Orianka Kilcher, American actress and singer, indigenous Peruvian father and Swiss-Anglo American mother
- Chayanne, Puerto Rican singer
- Isabel Preysler, Filipina journalist and model
- Diego Maradona, Argentinian soccer player
- Mario Moreno (aka Cantinflas), renowned Mexican comedian and actor
- [[Selena Quintanilla P�rez]], Mexican American, singer
- Manuel L. Quezon, president of the Philippines
- [[Marcelo R�os]], Chilean tennis player
- [[Jos� Rizal]], Filipino national hero
- Jon Seda, Puerto Rican hollywood actor
- Mercedes Sosa, Argentinian folk singer
- Danny Trejo, Mexican American hollywood actor
Footnotes
- The ethnic composition of Chileans is marked by a socio-genetic gradient where Amerindian admixture typically correlates to social levels. Amerindian contribution tends to be strongest in the lower echelons of society, and in the upper class and middle class, tend to register the lowest degree of Amerindian contribution. Almost the entirety of the population, however, presents a racially mixed origin, but is not uncommon to encounter unmixed European or with more than 3/4 of european ancestry. Only a small minority can truly are unmixed Amerindian. See also Demographics of Chile
- In Honduras, Panama, and to a considerably smaller and less prominent degree in Mexico, the mestizo population has absorbed some African ancestry, either in the form of Mulattos, Zambos, or directly via the African slaves who were taken there during the colonial era.
- American-mestizos in the Philippines may be of any race or ethnic origin which includes White American, Hispanic American and African American.
See also
- Amanye
- brown people
- Casta
- Colonial Mentality
- Creole
- [[Gen�zaro]]
- List of terms for multiraciality
- [[Mesti�os (Sri Lanka)]]
- Mischling
- Mulatto
External links
- Mestizos.net
- Brazilian Mestizo Movement[[fr:M�tis]][[pt:Mesti�o]]
References
- Adapted from the Wikipedia article, "Mestizo" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mestizo, used under the GNU Free Documentation License
