What is cabeza de vaca?

Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca was a Spanish explorer and conquistador who is best known for being one of the survivors of the ill-fated Narváez expedition in the early 16th century. Cabeza de Vaca and his companions spent eight years wandering through what is now the southern United States and northern Mexico, encountering various Native American tribes along the way.

Cabeza de Vaca eventually made it back to Spanish territory and wrote an account of his experiences, which was published in 1542 as "Naufragios" (Shipwrecks) or "La relación" (The Account). This book is one of the earliest firsthand accounts of the interior of North America and provides valuable insights into the customs and cultures of the indigenous peoples Cabeza de Vaca encountered.

In addition to his exploration and writings, Cabeza de Vaca also served as governor of the Spanish territories of Paraguay and the Río de la Plata in South America. He is considered one of the most important early explorers of the New World and his account of his adventures remains a valuable historical document.