I was there before you, was the phrase I heard from my great uncle as I traveled back to Nigeria to visit relatives. I was a young teenager at the time and my great uncle said, “YES YOU ARE FROM AMERICA… BUT I WAS THERE BEFORE YOU!”

I capitalize it because of his commanding deep nigerian accent and the fierceness in his tone. He was a master sailor, and had to remind the young buck (me) that he’d sailed all over the world and had been places before me.

I thought of my great uncle as I read the rap sheet on the man, the explorer, Estevanico. Estevanico was a Moroccan who lead a group of four across the North American continent back in 1536. It took him and his team nine years to complete the feat, but it was completed.

Estevanico headed an expedition that discovered what we call today, Arizona and New Mexico. From Florida to the pacific, Estevanico’s travels opened up all these areas for Americans today.

Estevanico was a powerful man according to reports, blessed with leaders mind.

Who was he and why don’t we ever hear of him? Estevanico was a Spanish Moor from North Africa (Morocco) who was enslaved at a young age by the Portuguese and sold in 1520 to Andres Dorantes de Carranza, a Spanish nobleman.

Estevanico was a powerful man according to reports, blessed with leaders mind. He was an excellent linguist and was able to quickly learn the languages of the Native Americans. Estevanico undertook the role of scout and mediator in the explorations of the Cabeza de Vaca party.

Little known black history facts

Bro Ishe