Genízaro
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Genízaro is the Spanish word for the descendants of the (White) Spaniards and detribalized Indigenous Amerindians. They are often mistakenly labeled as either Mestizo or Mexican. The original meaning of genízaro/jenízaro was "janissary", the slaves kidnapped to be soldiers of the Ottoman Empire. The term Genízaro eventually was adapted to refer to the captured indigenous North-American Indians that became "Hispanicized". The Genizaros was also the name given to many non-pueblo Indians who were the progeny of unions between Indians of different tribes and pueblos that did not formally belong to any one tribe. This was very common throughout the North-American Southwest, in California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Chihuahua.
[edit] History
In 1821 Mexico gained its independence from Spain and New Mexico became a part of the state of Mexico. The Treaty of Córdoba recognized all Native Americans as citizens of Mexico. Genízaros especially welcomed this new policy. Genízaros were full-blooded and detribalized Indians who became Hispanicized by learning Spanish and becoming Catholics (and often intermarrying with Hispanos). Often Genízaros were treated as second-class citizens, but with the Mexican policy they became full-fledged citizens along with their Hispano neighbors. During this period, the term genízaro was officially dropped. The Mexican government encouraged colonization of its Northern frontier by anyone who would swear allegiance to the Mexican government, become a Roman Catholic and bring in new settlers. This policy applied to foreigners also, causing consternation among many New Mexicans, although the foreigners were usually married to a Mexican woman or were in partnership with a Mexican.
