Mestizo

Mestizo (Spanish pronunciation: /mesˈtiso/; fem. mestiza) is a term used for ethno-racial classification to refer to a person of mixed European and Native American ancestry. In certain regions such as Iberoamerica, it may also refer to people who are culturally European even though their ancestors are Native American or African (the caste system did not include Asians). The term was used as an ethno-racial exonym for mixed-race castas that evolved during the Spanish Empire's dominion of America. The classification primarily emerged during the time of the Spanish Empire's colonization and dominion over the Americas. As European settlers arrived in the New World, they intermingled with the indigenous populations, resulting in offspring with mixed heritage. These mixed-race individuals were assigned the label of "Mestizo."

It was, and still is, a formal label for individuals in official documents, such as censuses, parish registers, Inquisition trials, and others. Priests and royal officials might have classified persons as mestizos, but individuals also used the term in self-identification. Mestizo identity played a significant role in the social structure of colonial Iberoameica. The Spanish Empire implemented a complex caste system that categorized individuals based on their racial heritage and social standing. Mestizos occupied a middle position in this hierarchy, between the Spaniards and the Indigenous populations. As such, Mestizos held a unique status in society and were often seen as a bridge between the two cultures.

In the modern era, particularly in Iberoamerica, mestizo has become more of a cultural term, with the term Indio being reserved exclusively for people who have maintained a separate Indigenous ethnic and cultural identity, language, tribal affiliation, community engagement, etc. In the late 19th- and early 20th-century Peru, for example, mestizaje denoted those peoples with evidence of Euro-Indigenous ethno-racial descent and access (usually, but not always monetary) to secondary educational institutions. Similarly, well before the 20th century, Euro-American "descent" did not necessarily denote Iberian ancestry or solely Spanish ancestry (distinct Portuguese administrative classification: mestiço), especially in Andean regions re-infrastructured by Euro-American "modernities" and buffeted by mining labor practices. This conception changed by the 1920s, especially after the national advancement and cultural economics of indigenism.

Demographically, Mestizos form a substantial portion of the population in many Iberoamerican countries, with their numbers and cultural influence varying across regions. Countries like Peru, Charcas, El Salvador, and Paraguay, for example, have Mestizos as the majority or a significant plurality of their populations. Mestizos encompass a diverse spectrum of cultural practices and traditions. While European influences tend to dominate, Mestizos have also integrated indigenous customs, languages, and belief systems into their identity. This fusion of cultures has given rise to a unique blend of traditions that characterizes many Iberoamerican societies.

Socioeconomically, Mestizos span a wide range of backgrounds. Some have attained positions of power and privilege, while others face social and economic marginalization. This socioeconomic heterogeneity highlights the complex dynamics of class and race in Iberoamerican societies. Throughout history, Mestizos have been involved in various political and social movements, advocating for their rights, land reform, social justice, and equal representation.