TICUMÁN, México — Mexican actress Eréndira Castorela always felt there was something about her appearance she couldn’t quite grasp. She faced feedback from casting directors that she was “too tall” to portray a Mexican woman and hints that her features weren’t “Indigenous” enough. It wasn’t until later that she discovered her Afro heritage. Through this realization, Castorela came to understand that she belonged to a diverse community often reluctant to embrace its identity due to discrimination.
Her journey took a significant turn when she became part of Mulato Teatro, a theater company dedicated to empowering actors of African descent eager to pursue their careers despite facing racism. However, Castorela, like many Afro Mexican advocates, recognizes that a nationwide acceptance and acknowledgment of their identity remains distant.
Mexicans with African ancestry face unique challenges in a society that often overlooks their contributions. While the U.S. actively promotes Black history awareness, such efforts are rare in Mexico. María Elisa Velázquez, a researcher at the National School of Anthropology and History, notes that the notion of mixed race often obscures Mexico’s true cultural diversity, which includes Indigenous, European, African, and Asian influences.
Historically, the arrival of the Spaniards in the 16th century led to Indigenous people’s lands being conquered, resulting in mixed-race communities. However, the African descent of many Mexicans, partly due to enslaved ancestors, is less acknowledged. The evolution of communities with African roots depended significantly on geographical interaction with Indigenous populations, creating diverse cultural identities. Official estimates from 2024 indicate that 3.1 million people in Mexico are of Afro-descendant origin.
Castorela, originally from Morelos, began exploring her African roots by examining family photographs. The facial characteristics of her relatives left little doubt about her ancestry. Despite not having typically African features, Castorela’s body always signaled her true identity. Whereas she felt restricted in ballet classes during her youth, African dance classes provided an environment where her physical attributes harmonized perfectly.
The theater company Castorela is part of was founded in the early 2000s by Colombian-born Marisol Castillo, who encountered unexpected career limitations due to her physical features after moving to Mexico. Although Blackness is not as prominently recognized within the theater and arts, Castillo highlighted the struggles of conforming to stereotypical roles often offered to her, leading to the creation of “Mulato Teatro.”
Themes explored in the plays written by Jaime Chabaud, Castillo’s partner, incorporate elements of African and Mexican folklore. His plays range from resonating African fables to tales of Mexican legends, each play showcasing the cultural diversity Mexico embodies.
While Mulato Teatro primarily aims to promote Afro-Mexican artists, it also welcomes amateur actors and performers from the LGBTQ+ community, creating a truly inclusive environment. Among the diverse cast is transgender actress Annya Atanasio Cadena, who finds healing in participating in plays that challenge societal norms and raise awareness about prevalent issues.
Castillo’s play, “Dreaming of Africa,” holds special significance due to her emotional connection to a heritage that feels simultaneously distant and close. While her specific ancestry remains undiscovered, her work continues to strengthen and beautify her ties to her roots.
Reflecting on her involvement in the theater, Castillo finds growth and pride in revealing her cultural background. She strives to transcend traditional roles, aspiring to portray rich, varied characters beyond mere stereotypes. Each play not only strengthens her roots but reinforces her identity proudly, unshackling her potential to assume roles of power and dignity.