The Chronicle of the Narváez Expedition by Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca was originally written in 1542, with a reprint in 1555. The chronicle follows Cabeza de Vaca’s memories of his survival after the expedition (led by Pánfilo de Narváez) failed and broke apart, and his subsequent peregrinations through the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. His chronicle stands as an important primary document of the age of the conquistadores. Of particular importance are Cabeza de Vaca’s descriptions of certain Indigenous American groups, languages, and customs—these are the only existent accounts of some of these peoples.

This study guide follows the Penguin Classics edition from 2002, which uses the translation by Fanny Bandelier, a research anthropologist and teacher of South American history.

Please note: This study guide questions the veracity of certain details about Cabeza de Vaca’s chronicle; however, scholarly research has mostly confirmed broad facts such as where he was, what he saw, and whom he met.

Cabeza de Vaca refers to Indigenous people of the Americas as “Indians,” reflecting the long-held, incorrect belief that the Americas were part of the Indies. This guide has chosen the term Indigenous when not directly quoting the text to better reflect the tribal people’s identity. Native American is occasionally used in the context of Indigenous people’s interactions with America as a nation. Cabeza de Vaca refers to the European conquistadores as Christians both to differentiate them from Indigenous people and because the expedition did not solely consist of Spaniards. One of Cabeza de Vaca’s fellow travelers is Estevanico, whom Cabeza de Vaca describes as “an Arab Negro from Azamor” (108).

Summary

Pánfilo de Narváez assembles an expedition in Spain with the goal of voyaging to and conquering the area known in Spanish as La Florida. He leaves Spain on June 27, 1527. Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca serves as treasurer and chief legal officer on the expedition, which consists of five vessels and approximately 600 men. The expedition makes a long layover in Santo Domingo to resupply, then sails on to Cuba. After losing two ships and many men in a hurricane, the expedition is forced to spend the winter in Cuba; Narváez searches for men and ships to make up for the loss, while Cabeza de Vaca watches over the rest. From Cuba, the expedition sails on to Florida.

The Spaniards make landfall in Florida in May 1528, where captured Indigenous people tell them about Apalachee, promising gold and food. Narváez wants to push northwards towards Apalachee; however, Cabeza de Vaca is adamant that they have too few supplies to wander into the interior of the country. Narváez splits the expedition: The ships sail on to look for a harbor, while the main force pushes inland. Cabeza de Vaca accompanies Narváez for fear of being called a coward.

After seven weeks, the expedition arrives in Apalachee, the largest settlement the expedition has yet encountered. The Apalachee are not rich, but they tell the expedition about the Aute, who they claim are. However, when the expedition reaches Aute, they discover that the inhabitants have burnt down the village rather than leave anything for the conquistadores.

Food and supplies become scarce. The men are forced to slaughter and eat their horses. Narváez gives up on finding gold and pushes on towards New Spain (Mexico), assuming it is not too far away. Deciding that going overland is too difficult, the men fashion five small boats. After strong currents from the mouth of a large river (most likely the Mississippi) drive them away from the coast, a storm separates the ships. Two boats wash ashore, (on Follet’s Island in modern-day Texas). Out of approximately 80 survivors, only 15 make it through the winter.

Cabeza de Vaca and a few other survivors attempt to continue towards New Spain. However, the men are so weak from hunger and fatigue that Indigenous people they encounter along the way easily enslave them. Cabeza de Vaca lives for six years among the Indigenous people, earning his living by making small items such as fishing nets.

Eventually, Cabeza de Vaca escapes captivity alongside Dorantes, Castillo, and Estevanico. Traveling west, they meet friendlier tribes who believe them to be medicine men. After Dorantes makes the sign of the cross and says a prayer, the sick say they are healed, and the fame of Cabeza de Vaca and the others spreads throughout the region. As the four men travel west, many Indigenous people join them.

After many months, they discover signs of other Europeans—horsemen under the command of Diego de Alcazar, who are in the business of raiding and enslaving the locals. Cabeza de Vaca and his companions have become missionaries, who want the Indigenous peoples to be treated well and converted to Christianity. Cabeza de Vaca convinces the local magistrate, Melchior Diaz, to stop the raids. After several months, Dorantes and Cabeza de Vaca leave for Spain. A storm separates the ships carrying Dorantes and Cabeza de Vaca. Dorantes returns to New Spain, while Cabeza de Vaca arrives in Portugal on August 9, 1537.