Mesitzos

A wealthy Mesitzo family in Northrock, New Liverpool is photographed. (1925)

Mesitzos are a ethnic group in Slokais Islands, primarily referring to those of mixed Indigenous and Costeno ancestry. Although in recent years the term has been used to all those of mixed racial ancestry. Due to these reasons, estimates of Mesitzos can vary from 25% to 70%, although the widely accepted number used by the Census of Slokais Islands, is 30.1% of the population of Slokais or 22.5 million people. In addition to the population in Slokais, Mesitzo communities exist in Haesan, Aredoa and Kolda, although these people may identify differently in these countries.

History

The term Mestizos was created in 1525 by a San Fernando writer to refer to children of Costenoian settlers and Indigenous people. In 1530, in a survey of San Fernando Province there were around 15,000 Mesitzos. At the time, another term was used to refer to those of Costeno and Ren ancestry known as Sinjinos. During the 1500s, Mesitzos primarily lived in the countryside outside San Fernando, many being farmers or fishmen. As more settlers began to settle along the San Fernando River valley, more and more children of indigenous and Costeno and Costeno and Ren ancestry where being born. Often these children where deemed lower within society and often where not permitted to attend schools. This led to several Catholic schools opening to serve Mesitzo people leading to a unique culture and even accent developing. By 1650 when a census was held 20% of the population was considered as Meszito, the first official recognition of the modern-term. By this point, Mestizo's generally had equal rights, with land ownership being granted allowing for participation in local government. Although generally those of fully-Costeno background had greater wealth and thus political power.

In the 1700s, new city's and communities began to be formed by Mestizo's the largest being Rio Bravos now with a population of 750,000 as of 2025. These communities were organized around their municipal halls and gathering area's instead of Catholic churches as in case of much of city design at the time. These central areas, where many markets and celebrations are still held, define Mesitzo culture. In 1770, settlers began to move to East Acadia to extract the vast interior of timber and start grazing cattle to meet the growing demands of the San Fernando Colony. By the 1800s, and the end of the Costenoian system of racial classification, the term Mesitzo began to define those of strictly Indigenous and Costenoian ancestry rather than those of Costenoian and Ren or Costenoian and Sanctarian ancestry. This terminology was carried over in the foundations of the Republic of Slokais.

Modern Usage

Today, Mesitzo is used in society to refer to all of those of mixed racial ancestry. Although the Census has defined Mesitzo as "Those with significant ancestry from two or more ethnic groups". Additionally, terms have come into existence for specific sub-groups as the Salvadoristas, those of Koldan and Indigenous ancestry and Providencians to refer to those of Bimhj ethnic and Costenoian ancestry. Although Mesitzo, as a cultural term, usually refers to art and culture created by those of mixed ancestry in the San Fernando River or in other areas