HISTORY: Notable African-Mexicans 16th to the 20th century

We have previously looked at the beginnings of the Black presence in New Spain. The arrival of a few African descendants with Hernan Cortes in 1519, and the much larger influx in the 17th and 18th centuries. Black slaves were brought to New Spain after the Spanish conquerors depleted their free labor of the native population. We also looked at their cultural influences reflected in Mexico—native African plants brought to the New World, spices and cooking methods that have become part of Mexican cuisine, dance, music, and speech patterns. In this article I would like to speak to the intellectual, social and political influence of African descendants in Mexico.

It is common to stereotype the influence of African descendants simply to their contribution to food, music, and dance. While these are true contributions, African descendants have shown skills and abilities equal to other societies and human groups. In addition to their contributions to the economy, society and culture, Afro-descendants influenced and participated in various political movements in Mexico.

Another common myth is that African slaves—in Mexico and elsewhere—were docile, and simply allowed themselves to be subdued and mistreated. This is used by some as rationale to claim that this submissiveness is what led to their status as slaves for so long. Nothing could be further from the truth. Africans in America used various means of gaining freedom, including slave rebellions even when the rebels knew the likely result could be the loss of life, not the loss of chains.

Resistance to enslavement took many forms aside from open revolts. Suicide, voluntary abortion and infanticide were the agonizing choices some slaves took in refusing to accept their position, and bear children in slavery. Padre Alonso de Sandoval spoke for all human beings, when he wrote in 1627 that: “The love of liberty is natural.”

Through the initial 300 years of their presence in New Spain, the primary concern for African descendants was survival—and the dream of freedom. With that as the primary goal in one’s life it’s impossible to acquire an education or choose any path other than the one decreed. Even if the desire were there, access was always denied. That is why we had no great Afro-Mexican writers or intellectuals in those centuries. It was not for lack of ability, it was lack of opportunity. Women suffered the same fate throughout history; long denied political power and contributions to art, literature, and science.

In spite of these constraints, a number of Mexican historical figures of African descent stand out.

Juan Garrido: According to most sources he was born around 1480 in Africa, probably the son of a king. He arrived in the New World in 1503 and joined Cortes in his conquest of Tenochtitlan. Garrido received recognition for his services from the king of Spain, and rose in his ranks. Because of his services, he was given farming land on the outskirts of Tenochtitlan where he planted wheat. This is most likely the first wheat to appear in America. He continued accompanying Cortes on further expeditions, and eventually retired in relative comfort with a wife and three children. He died in 1547 at the age of 67.

Gaspar Yanga: Leader of a major slave rebellion during the early part of the 17the century. Believed to be a member of the royal family of Gabon, he arrived in Veracruz as a slave around 1570. In 1609 he and

another slave from Angola, named Francisco de la Matosa, joined forces. They led 100 freedom fighters into the jungle outside Veracruz, seeking freedom. The Spanish attacked them with 500 men carrying firearms but the freedom fighters used the terrain to out maneuver the Spanish.

After two years, the Spanish were forced to negotiate peace terms with Yanga, and signed a treaty on Oct 3, 1618. The first autonomous town for free Blacks—San Lorenzo de los Negros was established. It has now been renamed Yanga, and the eponymous leader is considered a national

hero of Mexico, the first American liberator.

The town currently has some 22,000 mixed or mestizo people who hold a yearly carnival on Aug. 10 to celebrate their victorious revolution. A statue of Yanga was erected in the 1970s.

José María Morelos y Pavón (1765 – 1815): Known as “the servant of the nation,” he was born in

Villadolid (today’s Morelia) and was both priest and a military man. He joined the insurgent army soon after the start of the War of Independence in 1811. He became the leader of the movement after the execution of Miguel Hidalgo and Ignacio Allende, he led the second stage of the war. Aside from his contribution to the nation through his military leadership, he left an important document: “The Feelings of a Nation,” outlining his vision for the liberated new republic. The Mexican state of Morelos and the city of Morelia are named after him.

Vicente Guerrero (1782—1831): A politician and military man who fought in the War of Independence.

He was president of Mexico from April 1 to December 17, 1829, when he was deposed by his Vice-

President, Anastasio Bustamante. During his very brief term in office, however, he was responsible for a most important, historical act. On September 16, of the same year, he issued a presidential edict ending slavery in Mexican territories. Guerrero was the first Afro-descendant president of Mexico, and the entire American continent.

An interesting footnote to the abolition of slavery in Mexico is the impact it had on its northern neighbor, the United States of America. It took Abraham Lincoln, almost forty years later, to abolish slavery. During those four decades, an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 enslaved people fled south to Mexico to become free. Although considerably less than the close to 100,000 who escaped to Canada, the “southern underground railroad” did bring freedom to many.

Pío de Jesús Pico (1801-1894): Fourth of ten children, his ancestry came from a mixture of African, Native American, and Spanish blood. He was the last Mexican governor of Alta California before the territory was seized by the United States in 1848. He was one of the wealthiest men in California at the time, and a hugely influential figure. Many places in California are named after him: the city of Paco Rivera, Paco Boulevard in Los Angeles, Pio Paco State Historical Park, and various schools that bear his name.

Toña la Negra (1912–1982): Although Antonia Peregrino was born in the city of Veracruz in the 20th century, when some of the prior obstacles had been lifted, she is worth mentioning because of her ethnicity and gender. Her paternal grandfather was Haitian who had moved to Mexico in the 19th century. She became an actress and singer, known for her interpretations of boleros by the famous composer Agustín Lara. He considered her “the greatest singer of all time.” We are fortunate to have samples of her marvelous voice, and here is one of her hits: Toña La Negra - Noche De Ronda (Audio) (youtube.com)