Cabeza De Vaca Sparknotes

De Vaca’s journey as depicted in his narrative offers an in-depth look into the lives of the natives who he calls Indians throughout his writing. Being European, he found the behavior of the Native Americans as peculiar and interesting and goes ahead to discuss it in his narratives. De Vaca speaks of how the native Americans who he calls Indians greet each other. This he sees in how they greet him and his entourage after he returns. The welcoming and greeting was a huge celebration of dance and music accompanied by a celebratory mood, which De Vaca did not understand at first and even believed that they were going to be sacrificed. This painted a picture of very warm and welcoming people to him.
“About an hour after we arrived they began to dance and to make a great celebration (which lasted all night) although for us there was no pleasure, celebration, or sleep, waiting [the time] when they were to sacrifice us. In the morning they again gave us fish and roots and treated us so well that we were somewhat reassured and lost somewhat the fear of sacrifice.” -Cabeza de Vaca (161)
The Native Americans or Indians took care of De Vaca and his men when they were washed up ashore. This was a clear sign of their interpersonal skills. De Vaca saw this as the main view of the kindness of the Indians. They gave their spears to the Spaniards in return they got beads, and this formed a friendship between the two groups of men on the shores of Florida. The Indians feed and clothe De Vaca and his men and this gives him an inner look at the way the Indians treat the people that they do not see as threat. De Vaca speaks of how the Indians protect their own and their possessions in their small villages and around their