He was one of the men who killed, tortured, and destroyed the people of the south. After the Spaniards conquered the Aztecs, word had spread north to the pueblos of the horrible things that occurred. Estevanico was asked to turn back. He didn't, and was soon captured, then killed. The men of Hawikuh knew they would have to wait for others. The black Katsina warned that more would come.
Fray Marcos heard of Estevanico's death but he wanted to see the city Estevanico found. Fray Marcos traveled toward Hawikuh and spotted it from a distance. From afar Hawikuh looked like a great city! He returned to Mexico City with news that he found a new empire. The news of a new city started plans for an expedition north. Francisco Vasquez de Coronado would lead the journey. On February 22, 1540, they were ready to start.
Coronado was accompanied by Fray Marcos, 292 soldiers, 800 Mexican Indian allies, and plenty of livestock for eating. When the men reached Hawikuh, they were greatly disappointed. They traveled such a long way and struggled hard to find only mud houses. In 1540, strange messengers approached from the west carrying the prayer-stick (cross) of an unknown Katsina" (Gutierrez 43). The Zuni Indians saw clouds of dust, heard noise, and saw strange creatures the day the Spanish arrived. The only thing they thought was who and where did these gods come from? Little did they know these godly looking creatures would soon conquer and change their ways; just as they had done in the south years before.
The Indians argue that Franciscan Priests deceitfully enticed and ultimately forced the people away from their former religious practices. The value that the Pueblos esteemed the most was knowing one's role within the community. A proper show of deference was instilled, beginning from birth, through a system of gift-giving that left newborn infants forever enclosed by a cycle of indebtedness to their elders.
