Originally a black native of Azamor, Morocco, Estevanico endured a transformation when his cultural and social status changed drastically. After his baptism, he was given the Christianized name of Estevanico, for St. Stephen, and then the former Arab was sold into slavery and shipped to Spain. Captain Andres Dorantes purchased Estevanico in Seville.

Unlike chattel slavery in the Americas, Estevanico was more like a personal assistant, and he often interacted socially with his master. Dorantes elected to join the Conquistador Panfilo de Narváez's final exploration of Florida, and on June 17, 1527, when the adventurers left Sanlucar de Barrameda, Spain, for North America, Estevanico was on board as well.
Defined by his racial identity, Estevanico clearly stood apart from the rest of his group, and often spoke for them when encountering new tribes and kingdoms; however, this new role of diplomat eventually led to his demise.


The crew survived hurricanes in the Caribbean and attacks from the natives in western Florida. After months of confusion and physical hardships, Narváez's company finally surrendered the idea of finding wealth and opted to return to the safety of the seas, setting sail for Panuco, Mexico (present-day Tampico). In 1528, only Estevanico, his owner, and two other survivors of Narváez's final expedition, Cabeza de Vaca and Alfonso Castillo, washed ashore in the eastern part of modern-day Texas.

From 1528 to 1534, the castaways survived on a diet of fish, lizards, roots and nuts, and when fortunate, larger mammals like deer. Although they were sometimes assisted by native tribes, they more commonly suffered intimidation and attack by these peoples. Eventually, the Mariame tribe enslaved them -- a status that only Estevanico had previously known. With a combination of western medicine and indigenous cures, the group soon became known as healers to the Mexican tribes. Defined by his racial identity, Estevanico clearly stood apart from the rest of his group, and often spoke for them when encountering new tribes and kingdoms; however, this new role of diplomat eventually led to his demise.

After the refugees escaped from the Mariames, Dorantes retired from the life of an adventurer, but he did not allow his servant the same luxury. Spanish Viceroy (Governor) Antonio de Mendoza purchased Estevanico from Dorantes, and for the third time, he was a captive. Mendoza viewed his new slave as a valuable asset for future ventures in northern Mexico and sent him on Fray Marcos de Niza's expedition in March of 1539.

Despite this arrangement, Estevanico managed to preserve some of his autonomy by defying his new overseer and courageously pushing further ahead of Niza's search party. Originally separating on Easter Sunday, the slave reported back to Niza of his findings and whereabouts. Despite numerous peaceful encounters with local tribes en route to Tenochtitlan, Estevanico's luck changed when he reached Cibola.

After repeated attempts, Estevanico was not only denied access to the pueblo city, but eventually was executed. It is unclear if his death resulted from his own impudence or the villagers' fear, but certainly, the people of Cibola did not want to quarter foreigners, specifically westerners.