Estevanico – Finding Cibola

The saga of the American Southwest is etched with tales of exploration, survival, and the enduring allure of the unknown. Among the figures who traversed this landscape, few are as compelling and enigmatic as Estevanico, also known by various names including Mustafa Zemmouri, Black Stephen, Esteban the Moor, Esteban de Dorantes, and Estebanico. He holds the distinction of being the first African to set foot in what is now the continental United States. His journey, intertwined with the ill-fated Narvaez expedition, transformed him from an enslaved servant into a pivotal figure in the search for the mythical Seven Cities of Cibola.

Estevanico’s story is a testament to resilience and adaptability in the face of unimaginable hardship. As one of only four survivors of the Narvaez expedition, he navigated treacherous terrains and cultures, leaving an indelible mark on the history of the Southwest. His interactions with indigenous populations, his role as a scout, and his ultimate demise at the hands of the Zuni people contribute to a narrative that continues to fascinate and provoke discussion.

Before embarking on his fateful voyage, Estevanico was the personal slave of Andres Dorantes de Carranza. Their destinies became intertwined when they joined the expedition led by Panfilo de Narvaez, setting sail for Florida sometime before 1527. The expedition’s initial objective was to claim the territory for Spain, but unforeseen calamities would soon transform their mission into a desperate struggle for survival.

The expedition was immediately beset by misfortune. A fierce hurricane near Cuba threatened to sink the fleet before they even reached their destination. Despite this setback, they pressed onward, eventually landing on the west coast of Florida, near present-day Tampa Bay, in April 1528. The act of claiming the land for Spain was a bold declaration, but it masked the vulnerabilities that lay ahead.

The conquistadors faced a relentless barrage of challenges, including a series of devastating hurricanes and hostile encounters with local indigenous tribes. These conflicts decimated the expedition’s ranks, leaving the survivors vulnerable and isolated. Compounding their woes, the ship’s captain made the fateful decision to sail to Mexico without many of his men, effectively abandoning them to their fate.

Stranded and desperate, the remaining members of the expedition resolved to build five crude barges in a desperate attempt to reach a Spanish settlement in Mexico. The arduous journey westward was fraught with peril. Three of the vessels succumbed to the elements, sinking beneath the waves. The two surviving barges, carrying approximately 80 men, eventually made landfall on Galveston Island, Texas.

The survivors endured a brutal winter on Galveston Island, where they faced starvation and exposure to the harsh elements. By the time spring arrived, only 15 men remained alive, a stark testament to the expedition’s catastrophic losses. Among those who persevered was Estevanico, whose strength and resourcefulness proved crucial to their survival.

Driven by a primal instinct to survive, the remaining men embarked on a westward journey by land, traversing the unforgiving landscapes of modern-day New Mexico and Texas. Their path followed the course of the Colorado River, leading them through arid deserts and challenging terrain. After years of hardship and uncertainty, they finally reached what they considered "civilization" in Mexico in 1536.

Only four men had survived the ordeal: Estevanico, Andres Dorantes de Carranza, Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, and Alonso Castillo Maldonado. Estevanico’s journey across Texas marked him as the first African-born slave to traverse the region, an achievement that belied the circumstances of his enslavement.

Upon their arrival in Mexico City, Estevanico was sold to the Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza, who recognized his unique skills and experiences. Mendoza assigned him to a Franciscan friar named Fray Marcos de Niza, setting the stage for Estevanico’s next pivotal role in the exploration of the Southwest.

Fray Marcos de Niza was tasked with exploring the region of Sonora and beyond, with the ultimate goal of locating the fabled Seven Cities of Cibola. These cities, rumored to be rich in gold and other treasures, had captured the imaginations of Spanish explorers and fueled their relentless pursuit of wealth and glory. Estevanico, with his knowledge of the land and his ability to communicate with indigenous peoples, was deemed essential to the success of the expedition.

As the expedition progressed, Estevanico grew impatient with the friar’s cautious approach and the slow pace of the support party. Eager to press forward in search of Cibola, he was sent ahead as an advance scout, tasked with gathering information and paving the way for the main expedition.

Separated by several days’ travel from Fray Marcos de Niza, Estevanico approached Cibola, believed to have been the Zuni pueblo of Hawikuh. Upon his arrival, he sought to establish peaceful relations with the villagers, announcing his intention to heal the sick and informing them that he had been sent by white men who would soon arrive to impart divine knowledge.

However, Estevanico’s reception at Hawikuh was far from welcoming. The village elders were suspicious of his claims, questioning how a dark-skinned man could represent white men. They were also resentful of his demands for turquoise and women, viewing him as an unwelcome intruder. The Zuni, already wary of outsiders, perceived Estevanico’s demands as arrogant and disrespectful.

Tragically, the encounter turned deadly when Estevanico attempted to enter the village. The Zuni, fearing his intentions and rejecting his authority, killed him, bringing an end to his remarkable journey.

Fray Marcos de Niza and the rest of the expedition arrived a few days later, but they never entered the village. The friar, shaken by the news of Estevanico’s death and the hostile reception from the Zuni, decided to turn back. He returned to Mexico City, where he reported that he had seen Cibola from a distance, further fueling the legends of its wealth and splendor.

Estevanico’s legacy is multifaceted. He was a survivor, an explorer, and a cultural intermediary. His journey across the American Southwest, from enslaved servant to leader of an advance scouting party, underscores his adaptability and resourcefulness. His interactions with indigenous populations, though ultimately tragic, provide valuable insights into the complexities of cultural exchange during the early years of European exploration.

While Estevanico did not discover the mythical Seven Cities of Cibola, his efforts contributed to the ongoing exploration and mapping of the American Southwest. His story serves as a reminder of the diverse individuals who shaped the history of the region, and the complex interplay of cultures that characterized this period.

The quest for Cibola continued to drive Spanish exploration in the Southwest, leading to Coronado’s famous expedition in 1540. Although Coronado’s expedition also failed to find the fabled cities, it resulted in further exploration of the region and encounters with various indigenous tribes.

Estevanico’s story is a testament to the power of the human spirit to endure and adapt in the face of adversity. His journey, though marked by hardship and tragedy, remains a compelling chapter in the history of the American Southwest.