Casta (caste) was a derogatory term for individials of mixed ancestry in Colonial Spanish America. They were typically above blacks and applied by Spanish society. The following is an example of the Mexican and Peruvian casta system:
Mexican Casta
- Mestizo: Spanish father and Indian mother
- Castizo: Spanish father and Mestizo mother
- Espomolo: Spanish mother and Castizo father
- Mulatto: Spanish and black African
- Moor: Spanish and Mulatto
- Albino: Spanish father and Moor mother
- Throwback: Spanish father and Albino mother
- Wolf: Throwback father and Indian mother
- Zambiago: Wolf father and Indian mother
- Cambujo: Zambiago father and Indian mother
- Alvarazado: Cambujo father and Mulatto mother
- Borquino: Alvarazado father and Mulatto mother
- Coyote: Borquino father and Mulatto mother
- Chamizo: Coyote father and Mulatto mother
- Coyote-Mestizo: Cahmizo father and Mestizo mother
- Ahi Tan Estas: Coyote-Mestizo father and Mulatto mother
Male |
Female |
Offspring |
White |
Black |
Mulato |
White |
Mulata |
Cuarteron |
White |
Cuarterona |
Quinteron |
White |
Quinterona |
White |
Black |
Mulata |
Zambo |
Black |
Zamba |
Zambo prieto |
Black |
Zamba Prieta |
Black |
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