Mexico’s Third Root: The Afromestizo

The Afromestizo are Mexicans living on the Pacific coast in the states of Guerrero and Oaxaca and the state of Veracruz. They represent what is called the “third root” - people of African, Indigenous and European descent. They have been historically isolated and have worked as ranchers, cowboys, farmers and fisherman in predominantly rural areas where they have developed their distinct customs. In 2003, while living in Mexico, I began a long –term project documenting the Afromestizo communities on the Pacific coast. While the traditions in these towns are clearly Mexican, they identify and celebrate in distinct ways. My time there also coincided with a renewed interest in their identity as Afro-Mexicans. In 2015 the Mexican government recognized Mexicans of African descent on the census for the first time.