Armenian immigration to Mexico

Armenian Mexicans
armenio-mexicanos

Jacobo Harrotian Armen Ohanian File:Arturo Sarukhan.jpg Arturo Sarukhán
Total population
(400–500)
Languages
Spanish, Armenian
Religion
Christianity: (Armenian Apostolic Church and Armenian Catholic Church)
Related ethnic groups
Armenians

The Armenian diaspora population in Mexico is very small in comparison with other immigrant groups. The majoirty of the population arrived in Mexico between 1910–1928, with most arriving following the Armenian Genocide of 1915.

History

Mexican children of Armenian origin; 1911.

The earliest known record from 1632 recorded the arrival to Mexico of an Armenian national by the name of Francisco Martín. In 1723, Armenian national Don Pedro de Zárate arrived to Mexico on a Spanish galleon from China to Acapulco. In 1897, Mexican President Porfirio Díaz planned a project to establish an agricultural community with Armenian settlers in Soto la Marina, Tamaulipas (in northern Mexico); however, the project was never materialized. Soon after the Armenian Genocide committed by Ottoman forces in April 1915, many Armenians began to immigrate to the American continent. From 1921-1928, Mexico had an open immigration policy for most foreigners. During that time, close to 300 Armenians immigrated to Mexico.

Once in Mexico, most of the Armenian community decided to head north to the United States, but for those who stayed in the country, the majority settled in La Merced neighborhood of Mexico City where many dedicated themselves as peddlers, shoemakers and shop owners. Due to its relatively small size, the Armenian community of Mexico (with comparison to the larger communities of Argentina and Brazil) never established a school or community center, which in turn did allow for the community to assimilate quickly into the larger Mexican population.

The Armenian community of Mexico today retain a number of approximately 400–500 people and an unknown number of decedents. Many members of the community have entered politics and are well known artists and actors; all who have which contributed to the ethnic composition of Mexico today.

Mexicans of Armenian ancestry

• Mauricio Ochmann
• Berge Bulbulian
• Rosa Gloria Chagoyán
• Jacobo Harrotian
• Siouzana Melikián
• Armen Ohanian
• Jacobo Harrotian
• Paris Pişmiş
• Arturo Sarukhán
• Sirak Baloyan

See also

• Armenia–Mexico relations