New Spain – a Spanish colony in North America that existed from 1535 to 1821
Estevanico and Dorantes joined an expedition to explore and conquer lands from the border of New Spain to Florida, led by the conquistador Pánfilo de Narváez. Dorantes was the captain of this expedition. But unfortunately, the expedition ended prematurely due to poor conditions and mismanagement of the ship. They stopped near the coast of Tampa Bay. After five months of illness and attacks by the local population, Narváez tried to build a raft to reach Mexico, but practically the entire expedition drowned.
Estevanico and Dorantes were among the 80 people who were washed ashore on Galveston Island, coast of Texas. When they went to explore the island in search of New Spain, they were captured by the indigenous people – Americans, who held them for 6 years. After the wreck of another Spanish ship, they escaped from captivity and spent two years on foot to Mexico, presenting themselves as healers and spiritual leaders.
During this journey, the Spaniards noticed that Estevanico had learned to communicate masterfully with the local population through gestures. Thus, he became the first translator of the Spanish language<\/a> in this territory. He and his companions dressed like the local population, and Estevanico carried two sacred gourds and an engraved copper rattle, which gave him the right to call himself a shaman. He also dressed in feathers, bells, and other gifts that were presented to him for healing.<\/p>