When you envision Mexico, what images come to mind? Perhaps you picture ancient Aztecs, majestic Mayans, or Spanish conquistadors. These historical snapshots often highlight a narrative built upon indigenous and Spanish roots, shaping a dual identity for the nation. Yet, across Latin America, many countries proudly recognize a third, vital heritage: African ancestry. From Brazil’s vibrant Candomblé traditions and Capoeira artistry to Cuba’s Santeria and Salsa rhythms, and the rich musical tapestry of Peru’s Pacific coast communities, the indelible mark of African influence is undeniable. This influence extends throughout Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Venezuela, and indeed, across the entirety of Latin America.
However, the pervasive narrative of Mexican identity often overlooks a crucial element: the significant history and enduring presence of Afro Mexicans. In a groundbreaking move in 2015, the Mexican government took a vital step towards inclusivity by incorporating African descendants into its interim census. This marked the first time since the 1830s that race and ethnicity categories included this recognition. Through self-identification, almost two million individuals identified as Afro Mexican, bringing to light a previously marginalized community. The release of the 2015 census results sparked immediate media attention, with some outlets questioning the origins of these Afro Mexicans, speculating about recent immigration from West Africa or the Caribbean, rather than acknowledging their deep historical roots within Mexico.
A Casta painting from 1715 by Juan Rodríguez Juárez titled “De Mulato y Mestiza, produce Mulato, es Torna Atrás”, illustrating the complex racial classifications of colonial Mexico and highlighting Afro Mexican heritage.
The historical depth of the Afro Mexican experience is often underappreciated. During the 16th and early 17th centuries, colonial Mexico, then known as New Spain, was a major hub in the transatlantic slave trade. It became one of the regions with the highest rates of enslaved African importation in the Americas. The enslaved population in Mexico reached approximately 200,000, predominantly West Africans. For decades, this population outnumbered the Spanish colonizers, making it one of the largest enslaved populations in the Americas at the time. Spanish colonizers frequently utilized enslaved Black people as overseers to manage Indigenous populations. Many of the enslaved Africans, predominantly men, formed unions with Indigenous women. This widespread interracial mixing led to generations of mixed-race descendants, contributing to the gradual erasure of a distinct Afro Mexican identity in the national consciousness as their lineage intertwined with Indigenous communities and the broader Mestizo population of Mexico.
Despite this historical invisibility, it’s crucial to remember that Afro Mexicans have maintained a continuous presence and significantly contributed to the fabric of Mexican society.
For instance, Mexico’s early embrace of abolition played a pivotal role in shaping freedom narratives in the Americas. The Mexican government abolished the slave trade in 1824 and the institution of slavery itself in 1829, remarkably early in its independence. This progressive stance created an unexpected haven for enslaved African Americans in the Southern United States. Contrary to the conventional narrative of enslaved people solely seeking freedom northward, countless individuals utilized the “southern route” of the Underground Railroad, escaping to freedom in neighboring Mexico.
On July 7, 1839, an illustrative example unfolded when twenty-seven individuals boarded a merchant ship in New Orleans, disembarking in Tampico, a Mexican port city. Among these passengers were seven African Americans, officially listed as enslaved on their U.S. passports. These individuals bravely navigated the Gulf of Mexico, concealed on a merchant vessel, trading enslavement in the U.S. for liberty in Mexico. Their actions exemplify the agency and resilience of those who seized the opportunity presented by Mexico’s abolitionist policies. Passport records from New Orleans between 1830 and 1840, alongside Mexican importation logs, reveal a substantial movement of both enslaved and free African Americans seeking refuge and new beginnings in Mexico.
Many African American migrants, alongside already established Afro Mexican communities, settled in port cities and found work in vital sectors such as shipping and bustling marketplaces. Afro Mexicans enriched Mexican society across diverse professions, working as dock laborers, market vendors, soldiers, and shopkeepers. They became integral to every facet of Mexican life, actively participating in politics, religion, and artistic expression.
A reward notice from The National Vindicator in 1843, highlighting the flight of enslaved people to Mexico and their pursuit of freedom. Courtesy of East Texas Digital Archives/Stephen F. Austin State University.
The recognition of African descendants in the 2015 interim census, and their continued inclusion in subsequent censuses, opens avenues for crucial progress. The Mexican census data can serve as a powerful tool for politicians, lawmakers, and citizens to effectively address the specific challenges faced by Afro Mexican communities. This includes evaluating access to essential resources, educational opportunities, and other critical aspects of daily life throughout Mexico – issues that many communities are actively advocating for today. While Afro Mexicans may still experience underrepresentation in broader narratives, historical research compels us to connect the past with the present. By illuminating previously “invisible” histories, we not only uncover the vibrant legacy of Afro Mexicans but also contribute to enhancing the quality of life for contemporary citizens. This pursuit of historical truth serves as a powerful model for social justice, benefiting other marginalized groups and spaces, and fostering a more inclusive understanding of Mexican identity.
