Mai

Cabeza de Vaca here! Second in command for the Narváez expedition and child of God 🙏. Expert explorer and conquistaor, join us on voyage to Florida! 🇪🇸⚔️🏝

[Mai @227DeVaca]

P.S. Though it looks like it will be quite a long time before Spaniards and Indians will be at peace, I have hope for the future and am meant to be departing on another voyage soon to help establish relations between us Spaniards and the Indians. #NewVoyageNewMe #IndianRights

[Mai @227DeVaca]

Thank you all for joining me on my voyage! I learned much from this experience and wish all the best for my Indian friends!

[Mai @227DeVaca]

I went from an avid conquistador, to a captive, to a healer, to a missionary, to a governor. I only hope that other Spaniards will be able to see Indians as I do! I can see a long-lasting relationship between Spain and Indians and hope future voyages will be free from conflict.

[Mai @227DeVaca]

I’ve been appointed the governor of Rio de la Plata! I plan to promote a peaceful relationship between us and the Indians but it doesn’t seem like there’s anyone who shares my perspective… #IfOnlyTheyWentThroughWhatIDid #OneDay

[Mai @227DeVaca]

4/4 They did give me plenty of emeralds prior to my departure but I forgot them due to all the problems with de Alvaraza. 🙄 #HeProbablyStoleAllMyEmeralds #CoulveBeenRich

[Mai @227DeVaca]

3/4 Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to bring back new resources or tools. However, I did learn about the lives of the natives and learned many new skills. Before, I didn’t know how to build bows, arrows, nets, gather food, and knew nothing about the odd traditions the Indians have.

[Mai @227DeVaca]

2/4 Having spent around 7 years there, I befriended many of the natives and have grown to understand their traditions and customs, in spite of often being mistreated or enslaved. #bestfriends 💖

[Mai @227DeVaca]

1/4 Oddly enough, this expedition was indeed a disaster but it was a rather spectacular one at that. Though we weren’t able to establish the Spanish settlements in Florida like we had aimed to, I wouldn’t say that the voyage was a waste. #TheHolyRomanEmperorDisagrees

[Mai @227DeVaca]

I’ve drawn a map of the route we followed on this expedition. Enjoy!

[Mai @227DeVaca]

I’ve decided to write a full account of the exploration and describe all the Indians I have met in the foreign land. After that, I plan to do well on my word and share my opinion on the Spaniards’ ill treatment of Indians. #writer #advocater

[Mai @227DeVaca]

February 1537: It was a long journey back home but I am now safe! I missed Spain so much! #homesweethome

[Mai @227DeVaca]

January 1537: I have done the best I can to help the Indians. They’ve begun to shift towards Christianity and I pray for them to be safe from the other Spaniards. However, I think it is finally time for me to return to Spain, for I have been away from home for far too long.

[Mai @227DeVaca]

I have adopted the role of a missionary and have sworn to help the Indians build churches and bring crosses whenever encountering other Christians. #SaveTheIndians ⛪️⛪️⛪️

[Mai @227DeVaca]

I pleaded with the other Spaniards for a peaceful conversion into Christianity for the Indians. They have told me that they will leave them be, once converted.

[Mai @227DeVaca]

During this time, the Indians talked among themselves, saying that the Chrsitians lied. They recalled all our deeds and praised us highly. They are having difficulty believing me and Diego de Alvaraza are even from the same nation at all. ❌🇪🇸

[Mai @227DeVaca]

These Spaniards don’t understand. They haven’t depended on the Indians for sustenance, for shelter, and for kindness, viewing them as less than human. They haven’t got to know them like I have… I never thought that knowledge would be the greatest opportunity from this voyage.

[Mai @227DeVaca]

De Alcaraz told the Indians not to listen to me and that I have been away from Spanish territory for too long. The Indians objected to this, saying that the four of us healed the sick while the other Spaniards killed the healthy and asked for all that the tribes had. #thatsright

[Mai @227DeVaca]

The Chrisitans were abusing our Indians and causing them to flee to the woods to get away from the constant attacks. Would I have done that before meeting the Indians…? 🌳🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️

[Mai @227DeVaca]

2/2 However, the strife was not yet over. We had many bitter quarrels with the Christians, for they wanted to make slaves of our Indians. As I had promised prior, I advocated for the Indians pleading with the Spaniards to do them no harm. ✊✊

[Mai @227DeVaca]

1/2 Upon seeing me, they stared at me for quite a while, speechless; their surprise so great that they could not find words to ask me anything. I was eventually able to convince them that I’m a Spaniard, and they led me to Diego de Alcaraz, their leader.