| The first African-Mexicans to come to Mexico, | | | | accessible there from the beginning of colonization. |
| and their descendants, have greatly influenced the | | | | Of all of the African influences, including music and |
| Mexican culture. Throughout the centuries, | | | | dance know as Afro-Cuban, was brought by the |
| Afro-Mexicans have made vast contributions to | | | | slaves who came to Veracruz through the |
| the country of Mexico and they deserve to be | | | | Caribbean and the influence on the regions cooking |
| recognized and acknowledged for their many | | | | is one of the deepest and most far reaching. |
| accomplishments. Afro-Mexicans share a rich | | | | As the colonial period in Mexico extended, |
| history and count heroes and presidents among | | | | particularly during the 16th and 17th centuries, the |
| their ancestors. One was Vicente Guerrero, | | | | indigenous population of Mexico became |
| Mexico's 2nd president and a hero in Mexico's War | | | | decimated by sickness. To make up for this labor |
| of Independence from Spain. The state of | | | | shortage, African slaves were brought to Mexico |
| Guerrero in Mexico was named after him. | | | | to toil in the sugar fields and in underground mines. |
| Amongst other things, these immigrants have | | | | They were worth four times more than their |
| contributed to the modern Mexican culinary | | | | indigenous Indian counterparts. These African |
| gamut. Unlike other groups, they unquestionably | | | | workers were highly prized for their physical |
| did not come willingly. Their arrival was a product | | | | endurance and stamina in the hot, tropical sun. |
| of what was perceived as economically beneficial | | | | They were made to work in atrocious conditions |
| by the European conquistadors of Mexico,but | | | | and attempting escape was the only viable option |
| during the post-conquest years they have added | | | | for these enslaved Africans. Those who were |
| important and vibrant contributions to Mexico's | | | | successful in their escape, fled to areas high |
| culture and cuisine. | | | | mountain ranges where jungle and canyons would |
| It is said that during the Colonial era, | | | | hide and shelter them. Indigenous Indians who had |
| approximately 200,000 African slaves were | | | | also fled to these remote areas joined forces |
| brought to Mexico. The first group of six was | | | | with the escaped African slaves, forming |
| brought by Cortez in 1519 and the rest during | | | | communities and families. |
| 1580 and 1650. They were transported from the | | | | After 30 years, an African slave named Gaspar |
| West Coast of Africa to wok as domestic | | | | Yanga was able to negotiate a treaty with the |
| servants and in the sugarcane fields. Many of | | | | Spanish. Yanga achieved his desired goal after |
| them came in through the port of Veracruz and | | | | great hardship. Today, the town of Yanga In |
| were sold at the slave market in Antigua. Another | | | | Veracruz is a living testimony to his incredible |
| large group entered Mexico through the port of | | | | achievement. |
| Acapulco and to this day inhabit the Costa Chica, | | | | The mingling of blood that occurred between the |
| a portion of the Pacific coast of Guerrero and | | | | Spanish and Indigenous Indians took place also |
| Oaxaca. The inhabitants of Costa Chica did not | | | | with African slaves. This third root of the Mestizo |
| mix with the European and indigenous people to | | | | race is a topic seldom acknowledged. Traditionally, |
| the extent that the slaves in Veracruz did and | | | | the Mestizo race is identified as being a mixture of |
| they have retained a distinctly African identity. | | | | European and Indigenous Indian blood but in truth |
| In Veracruz tribal and family groups were | | | | it can also include the blood of Africans. These are |
| alienated to a great extent. Therefore much of | | | | referred to as 'mulattos.' Over the years, this |
| their original culture was absorbed into the regional | | | | bloodline has been absorbed into the fabric of the |
| identity that has come to be known as 'Jarocho,' | | | | Mexican population. Some scholars believe that |
| a term by which the people of the state and the | | | | 200,000 slaves were brought to Mexico while |
| port in particular, define themselves. The mixing of | | | | others believe the true number is closer to |
| races in Veracruz was one of the reasons why | | | | 500,000. |
| the people who came to be known as | | | | The Costa Chica is one of two regions in Mexico |
| 'afromestizos' had a more insightful gastronomic | | | | with significant black communities, the other being |
| impact in Veracruz than on the Costa Chica. | | | | the state of Veracruz on the Gulf Coast. |
| The fact that nearly all food imported from Spain | | | | What makes this story illuminating and mystifying |
| came into Mexico through Veracruz is another | | | | is the profound lack of documentation and |
| reason that a large variety of ingredients was | | | | discussion on this subject. |