Mestizo: Difference between revisions
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'''Mestizo''' is a term of [[Spanish language|Spanish]] origin describing peoples of mixed-race background. In [[Hispanic America]], the term originally referred to the children of one [[Europe]]an and one [[American Indian]] parent. Later the term became common for all people of mixed European and indigenous ancestry in the Spanish American colonies. |
'''Mestizo''' is a term of [[Spanish language|Spanish]] origin describing peoples of mixed-race background. In [[Hispanic America]], the term originally referred to the children of one [[Europe]]an and one [[American Indian]] parent. Later the term became common for all people of mixed European and indigenous ancestry in the Spanish American colonies. |
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Mestizos officially make up the majority of the population of [[Chile]] (90%), [[Colombia]] (58%), [[Ecuador]] (65%), [[El Salvador]] (94%), [[Honduras]] (90%), [[Mexico]] (60%), [[Nicaragua]] (69%), [[Panama]] (70%), [[Paraguay]] (95%) and [[Venezuela]] (67%). For other Latin American countries where mestizos don't constitute a majority, they nonetheless represent a significant portion of the population, with the possible exception of [[Cuba]] and the [[Dominican Republic]]. |
Mestizos officially make up the majority of the population of [[Chile]] (90%), [[Colombia]] (58%), [[Ecuador]] (65%), [[El Salvador]] (94%), [[Honduras]] (90%), [[Mexico]] (60%), [[Nicaragua]] (69%), [[Panama]] (70%), [[Paraguay]] (95%) and [[Venezuela]] (67%). For other Latin American countries where mestizos don't constitute a majority, they nonetheless represent a significant portion of the population, with the possible exception of [[Cuba]],Puerto Rico, and the [[Dominican Republic]]. |
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Many Americans of [[Hispanic]] and [[Latino]] origin identify themselves as mestizos as well, particularly those who identify as [[Chicano]]. |
Many Americans of [[Hispanic]] and [[Latino]] origin identify themselves as mestizos as well, particularly those who identify as [[Chicano]]. |
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Revision as of 21:52, 4 March 2004
Mestizo is a term of Spanish origin describing peoples of mixed-race background. In Hispanic America, the term originally referred to the children of one European and one American Indian parent. Later the term became common for all people of mixed European and indigenous ancestry in the Spanish American colonies.
Mestizos officially make up the majority of the population of Chile (90%), Colombia (58%), Ecuador (65%), El Salvador (94%), Honduras (90%), Mexico (60%), Nicaragua (69%), Panama (70%), Paraguay (95%) and Venezuela (67%). For other Latin American countries where mestizos don't constitute a majority, they nonetheless represent a significant portion of the population, with the possible exception of Cuba,Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.
Many Americans of Hispanic and Latino origin identify themselves as mestizos as well, particularly those who identify as Chicano.
N.B.: In Honduras, and to some degree in Mexico, the mestizo population has absorbed the presence of Africans who were taken there as slaves during the colonial era. In Panama, the mestizos have also absorbed some of the African strain present in that country.
In the Philippines, the term mestizo (also mestiso) is freely used to refer to all mixed-race Filipinos, and not just those of Malay/Chinese or Malay/Spanish descent.
Colloquially, however, the term is often employed to describe any unmixed Filipino of a lighter skin complexion, especially when used in it's vernacular form of "Tisoy", from [mes]TISO-Y, (fem. Tisay). Compare with "Pinoy" from [pili]PINO-Y, (fem. Pinay).
All types of mestizos combined, constitute only around 2% of the Filipino population.