Adorno, Rolena, and Patrick Charles Pautz, eds. Esteban the Moor was born in 1500 in Morocco as Mustafa Azemmour. In 1527 he joined the Spanish Narvez expedition to explore "La Florida", present-day Northern Mexico and Southern United States. When recalling the history of Black explorers, J.R. Harris says the list is short. Having walked nearly 2,000 miles since their initial landing in Florida, they finally reached a Spanish settlement in Sinaloa. 2Richard Flint, p33 The three men were joined about three years later in 1532 by de Vaca who was captured by the same Indians that enslaved his counterparts. The most comprehensive description of his origins consists of just one line written by lvar Nez Cabeza de Vaca in his Spanish account of the Narvez Expedition. When Jesus Came, the Corn Mothers Went Away: Marriage, Sexuality, and Power in New Mexico, 1500-1846. Black Spanish explorer Estevan is reported killed - History But I mean more than this. [1] He became a folk hero in the folklore of Spain and legend in New Spain, his exploration and cataloging of the Gulf of Mexico, and what is today modern Florida and Texas, resulted in numerous legends about him. He went ahead to the pueblo of Hawikku, but never returned. He may have been Moroccan-born, of course; there were plenty of black slaves in Morocco in the 16th c. He was a Muslim African. They were richly rewarded for their services with cotton blankets, finery, and more food than they could carry. "Estevanico was a large and powerful . He first appeared on HSN in November 1999, and by July 2001 he was selling 56,000 CDs in a week. The New and First Viceroy of New Spain[4] Don Antonio de Mendoza welcomed the men. Estevanico / SamePassage [4], Very little is known about the background of Estevanico. 9 October 2017 . Language Label Description Also known as; English: Estevanico. Narvaez sent his ships to a harbour which his pilots claimed purportedly existed somewhere within the vicinity and took with him about 300 men some of them on horses to explore the new territory. Estevanico - Finding Cibola - Legends of America Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). How much is a biblical shekel of silver worth in us dollars? Esteban de Dorantes, an enslaved man of African descent known as Estavenico, was born in 1500. Also, he was the country's first black head of state. subject named as. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1999. He was the property of Andrs Dorantes, a captain of the ill-fated Narvez Expedition of 1527. Panfilo de Narvaez was an accomplished conquistador with over 20 years of experience and had just received a royal appointment by the King of Spain as Spains governor in unexplored Florida. What was esteban dorantes date of birth? While not much is known about de Dorantes, historians believe he and the survivors spent eight years wandering todays southwest U.S. and northwest Mexico, connecting with Indigenous tribes and learning the local cultures. They continued for two days before encountering a camp, where they met a multilingual trader of the Avavares. When they decided they wanted to leave, the host village would guide them to the next village. Logan, Rayford. His unknown origins, arduous journey, and mysterious disappearance leave him shrouded in mystery. Estevanico ("Little Stephen"; modern spelling Estebanico; c. 1500 -1539), also known as Esteban de Dorantes or Mustafa Azemmouri ( ), was the first African to explore North America. But in 1537, Dorantes and Cabeza de Vaca returned to Spain, while Castillo settled down with a rich widow in Tehuacn. As the journey progressed, the boats were gradually lost, and at about the beginning of November 1528, Narvez disappeared when his own vessel was suddenly blown out to sea. He became known by many different names but is commonly referred to as Esteban de Dorantes, Estebanico, Esteban the Moor, or Mustafa Azemmouri. In this episode, Harris recounts the stories of two of historic explorers, Esteban de Dorantes (15001539)and York (1770 1832), and the contributions they made to world history. Celebrating the Many Contributions of Black Americans This is partly due to the lack of information about Esteban in the historical record, but also because Esteban was of African descent; an enslaved man who would be the first non-native person to visit the vast southern reaches of the Colorado Plateau in today's Arizona and New Mexico. Despite their truthful reports of very little wealth, their return to Mexico City sparked excitement about the lands north of Mexico. He knew at least 5 languages, was the ultimate survivor . These were the many names by which this man, an African, was known. McDonald, Dedra S. Intimacy and Empire: Indian-African Interaction in Spanish Colonial New Mexico, 15001800, in Confounding the Color Line: The Indian-Black Experience in North America, edited by. Guillermo has escaped from prison. The expedition first landed in Espaola (the island containing the nations of Haiti and The Dominican Republic). In November 1528, the survivors landed near present-day Galveston. I am very happy to welcome you to my website! Dorantes and Cabeza de Vacas accounts differ, but while staying with the Avavares or shortly after, a sick person approached them and asked for healing. He learned the languages and culture of indigenous peoples and in 1539 became the first official representative of Spain . Estevanico | Black history, Black history month, African american history The Spanish Frontier in North America. Surprised to find Christians living among Indian infidels, the soldiers became even more amazed when they heard the tale of the experiences of the four men. Estevanico (c. 1500-1539) was the first known person born in Africa to have arrived in the present-day continental United States. Who was Estevanico and what did he do? - Wise-Answer Even more ancient African skeletons that would clearly predate Columbus arrival in the Americas were discovered throughout Central America and South America with some even being unearthed in what is now California. He discovers that he is in love with Nancy, who does not reciprocate his feelings. During this time Esteban would learn the languages and cultures of indigenous people of the region, skills that would serve him well. Estebans barge capsized but they luckily made it to shore off the coast of Texas at Galveston Island where they joined with Cabeza de Vaca and some men from his boat, who had already reached the island and were given food and shelter by friendly Indian natives. As he traveled, he continued to learn more of Cbola. Little is known about his early life. Hutchins Center for African & African American Research, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. Marcos was elated and hurried to join Esteban. Louis Gates Jr.. , edited by and Emmanuel K. Akyeampong. www.newmexicohistory.org/filedetails.php?fileID=464. Dictionary of African Biography, edited by Ed. A small donation would help us keep this available to all. Esteban was also known as Estabanico, Estavanico, Esteban De Dorantes, Esteban the Moor, Mustapha Azemouri, Black Stephen and Stephen the Moor. Although Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, couldnt legally sponsor the voyage of a second son, he wished to gain a foothold along the Gulf of Mexicos coast before Hernn Corts could. Possibly to appease the powerful Mendoza, Dorantes granted him ownership of Estevanico. The four men after some days in the company of the soldiers reached Mexico City, ending their 8-year odyssey. His incredible story raises countless questions, many of which will likely remain unanswered indefinitely. In Search of the Racial Frontier : African Americans in the American West, 1528-1990. Born: c. 1500 Azemmour, Morocco (Wattasid period) Disappeared: 1539 Hawikuh, New Mexico, U.S. Other names: Esteban the Moor, Little Stephen, Esteban de Dorantes, Mustafa Azemmouri: Occupation: Explorer in present-day Mexico and parts of the southwest United States [19], Other contemporary accounts of Estevanico's death are known. The Zuni Inhabitants of Hawikuh, however, reacted provocatively and sent the messengers back with a warning to Estaban not to enter their city. Their stories thrilled conquistadors in Mexico City, including Viceroy of New Spain Antonio de Mendoza. Illuminating Books About the History of Race in America. Mandela is one of the most iconic leaders of the 20th century. After finding a small Spanish settlement, the four survivors travelled 1,000 miles to the south to Mexico City, arriving in July 1536. Mendoza tried to arrange for them to lead an expedition, but the Narvez survivors were understandably reluctant. He was sold to Andrs Dorantes de Carranza. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1992.