Cíbola, << SEE boh lah, >> Seven Cities of, were legendary cities in what is now the southwestern United States. Early Spanish explorers in Mexico believed they were rich in gold, silver, and precious jewels.
During the 1530’s, four explorers in northern Mexico heard stories from Indians about a rich civilization to the north. The explorers were survivors of Pánfilo de Narváez’s Florida expedition. The stories led Antonio de Mendoza, New Spain’s viceroy, to organize an expedition to the area. Marcos de Niza, a Spanish priest, was in charge of the expedition. In 1539, Niza sent Estevanico, a black guide and interpreter, ahead with a group of Indians to seek information. Local Indians told Estevanico about seven rich cities in a land they called Cíbola. Estevanico reached Hawikuh, the largest of six Zuni villages near what is now Gallup, New Mexico. The Zuni killed him there in March 1539. See Estevanico .
Niza claimed that he saw Hawikuh from a distance and that it appeared large and wealthy. His report triggered an expedition headed by Francisco Vásquez de Coronado in 1540. Coronado hoped to conquer the villages and claim their wealth for Spain. Coronado captured the six villages and called them Cíbola. He found no riches there, however. He returned to Mexico in 1542.
