"Due to the scarcity of women on slave shipments and the search for a "free womb" (free mother, not enslaved) to obtain freedom for one's children, the black African population sought out marriage alliances mostly with the indigenous population, favoring racial mixing within these groups. This mestizaje [racial mixing] brought about a classification by color known as the caste (casta) system.
"It is not exactly known when the caste system began since it was not decreed by royal order or warrant. The caste system was a socio-racial system of categorization that segregated the mixes between blacks and indigenous people, and sought to favor the hegemonic, or dominant, group comprised of Spaniards and their descendants. According to the law, acces to privileged posts in the Church and the military was restricted for castes considered to be inferior. There were even attempts to forbid members of these castes use of certain modes of dress and ornamentation with jewelry. Rebozos [shawls] and mantones de Manila [embroidered shawls] were for the exclusive use of Spanish women. Also, bearing arms, horseback riding, and literacy were not permitted by the so-called inferior castes.
"Thus, it is understandable why Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon, leader of the Mexican War of Independence, decreed the abolition of slavery and the caste system in 1824. He was a mulatto directly affected by this segregationist system."
The African Presence in Mexico, pg. 18.
A tribute portrait of Morelos was completed by Celia Calderon in 1960 and can be found at
Peace
P.S. Do not believe everything you read. Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon could not have decreed the abolition of slavery and the caste system in 1824 because he died in 1815. Here is the more accurate history of what he did actually do:
In 1813, Morelos called the National Constituent Congress of Chilpancingo, composed of representatives of the provinces under his control, to consider a political and social program which he outlined in a document entitled "Sentimientos de la Nación" (Sentiments of the Nation). The Congress called itself the Congress of Anáhuac, referring poetically to the ancient Aztecs.
On September 13, 1813, the Congress, with Morelos present, endorsed the "Sentiments of the Nation". This document declared Mexican independence from Spain, established the Roman Catholic religion and created the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government. It declared respect for property and confiscated the productions of the Spanish colonial government. It abolished slavery and racial social distinctions in favor of the title "American" for all native-born individuals. Torture, monopolies and the system of tributes were also abolished. Morelos was offered the title "Generalissimo" with the style of address "Your Highness", but he refused these and asked to be called "Siervo de la Nación" (Servant of the Nation). On November 6, 1813 the Congress declared independence.
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