Chronicle of the Narvaez Expedition

The Chronicle of the Narváez Expedition by Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca was originally written in 1542, with a reprint in 1555. The chronicle follows Cabeza de Vaca’s memories of his survival after the expedition (led by Pánfilo de Narváez) failed and broke apart, and his subsequent peregrinations through the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. His chronicle stands as an important primary document of the age of the conquistadores. Of particular importance are Cabeza de Vaca’s descriptions of certain Indigenous American groups, languages, and customs—these are the only existent accounts of some of these peoples.

This study guide follows the Penguin Classics edition from 2002, which uses the translation by Fanny Bandelier, a research anthropologist and teacher of South American history.

Please note: This study guide questions the veracity of certain details about Cabeza de Vaca’s chronicle; however, scholarly research has mostly confirmed broad facts such as where he was, what he saw, and whom he met.

Cabeza de Vaca refers to Indigenous people of the Americas as “Indians,” reflecting the long-held, incorrect belief that the Americas were part of the Indies. This guide has chosen the term Indigenous when not directly quoting the text to better reflect the tribal people’s identity.