mestizaje

Mestizaje refers to the biological and cultural blending of populations, primarily in Latin America, involving Indigenous peoples, Europeans, and Africans. The term "mestizo" specifically denotes a person of mixed European and Indigenous American ancestry. This mixing began during European colonization and created new social classifications, such as mestizo for those of Indigenous and European heritage, and mulato for those of African and European descent.1234

While mestizaje signifies mixture, its social and cultural connotations can vary. In some regions, it has become a cultural concept, with even pure-blooded Indigenous individuals adopting European dress and customs being referred to as mestizos. The concept has been used to define national identities, sometimes promoting a notion of "progressive mixture" towards "whiteness" or, more recently, celebrating cultural and ethnic plurality. Despite these shifts, ideas about descent and appearance continue to influence how "race" is understood in Latin America.21