An unusual blend of cultures: Mexican and black - Costa Chicans in Los Angeles - Immigrants from Costa Chica share an ancient ethnic heritage and culture that few outsiders know about.

But Costa Chicans — many dark in complexion with puchunco (curly or kinky) hair — are Mexicans with cultural and racial histories going back hundreds of years to the Spanish conquistadors and the African slave trade.

As part of the massive wave of Mexican immigrants who began fleeing the economic hardships of their homeland in the 1980s, black Mexicans from the coast settled in communities throughout the United States, in Winston Salem, N.C., Joliet, Ill., and Salt Lake City, among other places.

Some 300 Costa Chicans live in Pasadena, and thousands more can be found in San Bernardino, South Los Angeles, San Juan Capistrano and Santa Ana, all enclaves characterized by close family and community ties.”*

*From: http://www.latimes.com
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