Afro-Mexican Influence in Mexico The history of the black race
in Mexico is both illuminating and mysterious. What makes the
story of especially profound is the lack of documentation and
discussion on the subject. Scholars have long been acquainted
with the history of slavery in Mexico. In fact, long before the
first Spanish galleons appeared on the horizon, the practice of
slavery was common amongst several indigenous tribes in Mexico.
So while it may be said that the Spanish did not invent slavery,
they nonetheless relied upon it to expand their empire and to
increase their already enormous wealth. As the colonial period
in Mexico unfolded, in particular during the 16th and 17th
centuries, the indigenous population became decimated by
disease. To make up for this labor shortage, African slaves were
brought to Mexico to toil in sugar fields and work in
underground mines. Worth four times more than their indigenous
Indian counterparts, these African slaves were highly prized for
their reported physical endura