Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca

In 1527, Pánfilo de Narváez led a multi-cultured party of 600 to explore and conquer Florida. Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca (Jerez de la Frontera, Spain; dates of birth and death uncertain) served as the deputy and treasurer of this expeditionary party. After various shipwrecks, Cabeza de Vaca became the captain of a greatly diminished force of Spaniards who, in order to survive, wandered for eight years across the Southwest from Texas to California and finally to Mexico. During this period, Cabeza de Vaca and his men encountered and lived among various Native American nations.

Following his arrival in Mexico City, Cabeza de Vaca wrote an official report (relación) for the Crown detailing his travels. Written after 1537 and published in 1542, Cabeza de Vaca’s account became known as Naufragios [Shipwrecked]. The work documents the author's experiences and travails among the Native American nations and is considered a classic of early colonial narrative.

Citation
Navfragios …[Shipwrecked], Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, [1749]. Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division.

Caption:
Cabeza de Vaca wrote that while the Indians did not fear the Spanish weapons, “they were terrified of the horses [En todo los demàs los Caballos son los que han de sojuzgar, i los que los Indios vniversalmente temen.].” [page. 27]