Creole
The term Creole is used with different meanings in different contexts, which can generate confusion. Generally it refers to a people or culture that is distinctive or local to a region, but with various additional shades of meaning. Such groups often speak a creole language, a hybrid language containing elements of at least two languages.
Generally refers to people of pure Spanish or Portuguese descent born in the New World. The Spanish language word for Creole is "Criollo".
Throughout the colonial history of Iberoamerica, the Spanish caste system distinguished between "Criollos" and the higher-ranking and governing "Peninsulares" (both being of pure Spanish ancestry, the prior Latin American-born and the latter Spanish-born). This formed a discontented Criollo underclass that, together with the support of the other decreasing-in-rank underclasses ÃÂÃÂ mestizo, mulatto, amerindian, zambo and ultimately black slaves ÃÂÃÂ impelled the Mexican Wars of Independence (1810) and the South American Wars of Independence (1810-1825) against Spain, culminating in the establishment of republics throughout the former Spanish Empire.
Refers to people of any race or mixture thereof who are descended from French or Spanish families in Louisiana before it became part of the USA in 1803, or to the culture and cuisine typical of these people. Some writers from other parts of the USA have mistakenly assumed the term to refer only to people of mixed racial decent, but this is not the traditional Louisiana usage. In fact the traditional usage excluded African lineage. However, it is now accepted that Creole is a broad ethnic group of people of all races who share a French or Spanish background.
People of mixed Native American and European ancestry.
People of mixed Portuguese and native ancestry that Portuguese had contact since the 15th, with a mixed language.
Latin American Creole
New Orleans and Louisiana Creole
Alaska Creole
Portuguese Creole
People of mixed Portuguese and African ancestry.
People of mixed Portuguese and Asian ancestry.