The Birth of the Mascogos

El Nacimiento de los Negros This ongoing photographic series explores life in El Nacimiento, Mexico, and the Mascogo community, descendants of African Americans and Seminole indigenous people. Escaping the horrors of slavery in the US, they settled in Coahuila, Mexico, in the 19th century, seeking refuge from the Mexican government in exchange for protecting the border against Comanche and Lipan indigenous incursions. They currently reside in El Nacimiento, Coahuila, and in Southern Texas. They refer to their community as 'The Birth of the Black Mascogos', to differentiate themselves from the neighboring Kikapú indigenous community, whom they call 'The Birth of the Indians'. With around 270 inhabitants, they face constant emigration and racial mixing, impacting their identity and cultural visibility. This project, supported by the Ministry of Culture through the Stimulus Program for Artistic Creation and Development, was selected for the XX Biennial of Photography at the Centro de la Imagen in Mexico City. It aims to illuminate a historically underrepresented community, advocating for its recognition and cultural preservation.