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.
Latin American Creole
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 Latin America, the Spanish caste system made distinction between "criollos" and the higher-ranking and governing "peninsulares", despite both being of pure Spanish ancestry, the former born in America and the latter born in Europe (Spain being located on the Iberian Peninsula, hence the designation "peninsular").
This formed a discontented criollo underclass that, together with the support of the other decreasing-in-rank underclasses — mestizo, mulatto, amerindian, zambo and ultimately black slaves — impelled the Mexican War 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.
New Orleans and Louisiana Creole
In this context the word 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.
Alaska Creole
People of mixed Native American (esp. Alaskan) and European ancestry.
Portuguese Creole
People of mixed Portuguese and native ancestry that Portuguese had contact since the 15th century, with a mixed language. \n:see: Portuguese Creole language
People of mixed Portuguese and African ancestry.\n* Guinea-Bissau Creole (Crioulo)\n* Ziguinchor Creole (Fijus di Terra, Fijus di Fidalgu, Portuguis)\n* Capeverdian Creole (Crioulo)\n* São Tomean Creole (Crioulo)\nPeople of mixed Portuguese and Asian ancestry.\n* Chinese Creole (Filhos di Macau)\n* Malay Creole (Portuguese-Malay, Gente Kristang)\n* Indian Creole (Portuguese-Indian)\n* Sri Lanka Creole (Portuguese Bhurger)
People of mixed Portuguese and native ancestry that Portuguese had contact with since the 15th century, without a mixed language are known as "mulatos" (but the name can be extended to others).\n* Angolan mulatto\n* Mozambican mulatto\n* Brazilian mulatto
