Spanish Explorer

Today you will learn about: Cabeza de Vaca, and his accomplishments © Rosie’s Resources, LLC

In 1528, a Spanish expedition of more than 250 men landed in Cuba In 1528, a Spanish expedition of more than 250 men landed in Cuba. After a terrible hurricane, the men sailed to the west coast of Florida. © Rosie’s Resources, LLC

Their ships wrecked. So the men built 5 rafts, hoping to sail west to find a Spanish settlement in territory that is now Mexico.

Three of the rafts sank. Only eighty men on two rafts survived Three of the rafts sank. Only eighty men on two rafts survived. They landed on the coast where Galveston, Texas is located today.

After a very cold winter and very little food, only four men were still alive. Cabeza de Vaca became very sick, but he recovered. He was one of the four survivors.

In 1533, the four Spaniards, including Cabeza de Vaca, were captured by the Karankawa Indians. They were held as slaves.

Even as a slave, Cabeza de Vaca began to be known as a great healer.

After 18 months, the four men escaped After 18 months, the four men escaped. They lived for a while with a friendlier group of Indians, and headed west again to find a Spanish settlement.

Fruit of the prickly pear cactus Worms The four explorers traveled from tribe to tribe, learning the ways of the Indians. They learned to hunt small game and gather food so they could survive. Snakes Insects © Rosie’s Resources, LLC

Later, Cabeza de Vaca wrote a journal about his eight years journeying through North America and living with the Native Americans. It was called La Relacion, which means The Relation or, in more modern terms, The Account. © Rosie’s Resources, LLC

prickly pear cactus beneath a mesquite tree Cabeza de Vaca wrote extensively about what the Indians ate, how they prepared their food, their customs, their appearances, their shelter, and their daily lives. beans of the mesquite tree prickly pear cactus beneath a mesquite tree © Rosie’s Resources, LLC

He wrote about the friendly Indians who helped them He wrote about the friendly Indians who helped them. He said the Indians wept when they saw how frail, sickly, and helpless Cabeza de Vaca and his three friends looked. “They felt such great pain and pity at seeing us in such a state that they all began to cry so loudly and sincerely that they could be heard from afar.” © Rosie’s Resources, LLC

Cabeza de Vaca wrote about the Indians sharing food with him and his three companions.  “They did this with kindness and good will, gladly foregoing food to give us some.” © Rosie’s Resources, LLC

He wrote about weddings, families, and children He wrote about weddings, families, and children. About one tribe he wrote,  “The tribe cares more for their children than any other group of human beings I have ever seen.” © Rosie’s Resources, LLC

By living with the native people, de Vaca began to see them not as inferiors to be conquered, but as human beings with a right to dignity.   He later wrote to the King of Spain about the Native Americans. “Your Imperial Majesty, they should be well treated, and not otherwise.” © Rosie’s Resources, LLC

Cabeza de Vaca eventually returned to Spain. He died in poverty. De Vaca was not like other Spanish conquistadors. He didn’t claim land. He didn’t find gold. He didn’t try to conquer the people he met. He did discover something important— that all human beings deserve to be treated fairly. © Rosie’s Resources, LLC