Estevanico | Research & Encyclopedia Articles

Estevanico

c. 1500

Azemmour, Morocco

1539

Hawikuh (a Zuni pueblo in New Mexico)

Explorer and "medicine man"

"After [Estevanico] had left the friars, he thought he could get all the reputation and honor himself, and that if he should discover those settlements with such famous high houses, alone, he would be considered bold and courageous."

Pedro de Casteñeda Estevanico.

Estevanico (also known as Estevan, Estebanico, or Esteban) was a Moroccan slave who, along with an expedition of Spanish explorers, traveled from Florida along the Gulf of Mexico into the southwestern United States. He was captured by Native Americans and escaped to become a successful "medicine man" (a priestly healer). After an epic journey he finally reached the Spanish outpost of Mexico City. Estevanico was the first Westerner to reach some areas of the southwestern United States. He preceded Spanish conquistador Francisco Vásquez de Coronado (see entry) in visiting the "Seven Cities of Cíbola," seven pueblos (Native American villages) in northern Mexico legendary for their mythical riches. Estevanico was killed there by Zuni warriors.

Taken to Spain as Slave

At the beginning of the sixteenth century, when Estevanico was born, the Arabs of Morocco were in constant warfare with their Spanish and Portuguese neighbors to the north.

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