Concept in Definition ABC

During the colonial period in Latin America the term Creole was coined to designate Hispanic Americans of Spanish descent. Therefore, the Creole-a was originally from some country in Latin America but its ancestors came from Spain.

Colonial society

In the history of continent American since its "discovery" in 1492 one can speak of three different stages: conquest, colonization and Europeanization. The Crown of Castile transferred its laws, its language, their culture and their religion.

The first settlers of Castilian origin came from the lower nobility that had become impoverished in Castile. In their dominion of the new lands the native inhabitants became subjects of the Spanish Crown. Within this general framework, a model of society was developed. The ruling class was made up of individuals who came from the peninsula and their descendants born in a country in Latin America, the Creoles. The first formed the "aristocracy"colonial and occupied the most relevant positions, while the latter had a status lower social.

However, with the passage of time, Creole society consolidated its power and became a new bourgeoisie that dominated commerce and industry.

At a lower level were the native Indians, dedicated mainly to the tasks of the field.

On the other hand, the mestizos (crossing of Indian and white) formed a minority in the whole of society.

Finally, with the Commerce of slaves from Africa began to arrive blacks to the American continent (in this group it is necessary to mention the maroons, the blacks who fled slavery and ended up engaging in illicit activities to survive).

During the wars of independence in Spanish America at the beginning of the 19th century there were ideological confrontations and direct conflicts between the Creoles and the peninsulares. It is worth remembering that Simón Bolívar, one of the symbols of emancipation in Latin America, was born in Caracas and was a Creole because his ancestors came from Spain.

In other contexts of language

In the literary world, criollismo is a current that had a special role in the first half of the 20th century in some Latin American countries. East movement stands out for its cultural nationalism and description of peasant environments, for example of the Pampas in Argentina.

The famous novel "Doña Bárbara" by the Venezuelan Rómulo Gallegos is an example of criollismo.

In the culinary field there are some names with this term, such as Creole sauce or Creole bread. Lastly, among the different equine breeds in South America, Creole horses are used to perform field tasks.

Photo Fotolia: Laiotz