From crumbling Aztec empires to flamboyant mariachi bands, Mexico offers a wealth of history and cultures for the intrepid explorer to discover. However, less known and often overlooked is the country’s connection to the African Diaspora and the rich Afro-Mexican cultures that have developed over centuries.
There are several reasons for this apparent erasure. Although Mexico has one of the largest populations of African-descended people in Latin America, Afro-Mexicans are still a relatively small group compared to the overall population. Moreover, most of the enslaved Africans brought to Mexico by the Spaniards were men who ended up marrying into other, primarily Indigenous ethnic groups, resulting in a large mestizo, or mixed, population. After Mexico gained independence from Spain, it was this mestizo heritage that was largely embraced.
History is often written by the victors, leading to many noteworthy events being overlooked or misunderstood. Although not widely recognized, Mexico has inextricable ties to the African continent that reveal themselves in the country’s history, art, and present-day culture. Here are a few fascinating facts about Afro-Mexican history that you might not have known.
Slaves Brought to New Spain Arrived in Veracruz
In the sixteenth century, New Spain, as Mexico was then called, brought an estimated 200,000 enslaved Africans to the region. The port of Veracruz, which borders the Caribbean, served as the primary arrival point for these ships. Consequently, the city continues to reflect a strong influence in its music, dance, cultures, and food. This amalgamation can be witnessed every year during the city’s infamous Carnaval celebrations. The annual pre-Lenten festival serves as a week-long reminder of the region’s revolutionary spirit and remains one of the largest and most well-known Carnaval events in Mexico.
Veracruz Celebrates African Heritage with Music
Son Jarocho is a folk music style that dates back 250 years, drawing influence from a blend of Mexican, African, and Indigenous cultures thriving in the Veracruz region. A rock-and-roll version of the son jarocho song ‘La Bamba’ popularized the genre in 1958 and it was further revived in the late 80s by the group Los Lobos for the hit film of the same name. This unique blend combines stringed instruments with rhythmic dance steps that serve as percussion. The popularity of son jarocho has spread to Mexico City and even nearby California. Take an evening stroll through the Zócalo in Veracruz and you’re likely to stumble upon an impromptu son jarocho jam session from locals.
The First Community for Free Blacks in North America Was Founded in Veracruz
This community was founded by Gaspar Yanga, a chief of the Yang-Bara tribe in present-day Guinea, West Africa, who was sold into slavery and sent to Mexico. In 1570, Yanga led a revolt and after a successful escape, settled in the highlands. By 1600, his settlement had joined another group of escaped slaves led by Francisco de la Matosa, and for decades they resisted capture from Spanish colonialists. In 1618, Yanga negotiated with Spanish officials to grant freedom to the fugitive slaves, resulting in their village becoming known as San Lorenzo de los Negros. In 1932, this small town changed its name to honor its founder and is now known as Yanga in the state of Veracruz. In 2017, Yanga attained UNESCO World Heritage site status. A statue of Gaspar Yanga along with a plaque now stands in the town square. Each year on 10 August, Yanga holds a carnival to celebrate Gaspar Yanga’s legacy.
Mexico Had North America’s First Black President
In 1829, Mexico became the first country in North America to have a Black president, Vicente Guerrero, who was born to an Afro-Mexican father and an Indigenous-Mexican mother. Guerrero fought in the Mexican Revolution for 11 years, eventually helping the country gain independence from Spanish rule. His presidency, albeit brief, brought about sweeping policy changes, including benefits for the working class and Indigenous communities, alongside taxes on the wealthy.
Slavery Was Abolished on Independence Day – September 16, 1829
Under Vicente Guerrero’s leadership, slavery in Mexico was abolished on September 16, 1829 (now recognized as Mexico’s Independence Day), approximately 40 years before the United States would do the same. Unfortunately, this bold move angered American slaveholders and ultimately led to Guerrero’s downfall. In 1830, he was forcefully removed from office and returned to the southern Mexican states to organize another rebellion. From there, he was captured by minister of war Jose Antonio Facio and taken into custody in Oaxaca for trial, where he was executed on February 14, 1831.
Though Guerrero had petitioned for a separate southern state, it wasn’t established until 1849, named Guerrero in his honor. The state’s motto, “My Motherland Comes First,” reflects Guerrero’s commitment to resist Spanish rule. Today, Vicente Guerrero’s remains are housed in the Monumento a la Independencia in Mexico City, acknowledging his pivotal role in the country’s independence.
Guerrero Has the Largest Concentration of Afro-Mexican Citizens
Despite this rich history, Afro-Mexican only became recognized as an ethnic identity on a preliminary census in 2015. This development allowed 1.38 million Afro-Mexicans to self-identify for the first time. The Costa Chica region, encompassing the southern states of Guerrero and Oaxaca, features the largest concentration of Afro-Mexican citizens. In Afro-Mexican communities within Costa Chica, the Dance of the Devils is performed as a form of ancestor reverence during Dia de Muertos celebrations, having roots in the enugun dances of West Africa.
Although recognition in popular culture may be lacking, the influence of Afro-Mexican culture continues to thrive, resurrecting itself in colorful carnivals where participants are entranced by the persistent pulse of African beats.
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