Manuelito was born into the Bit'ahni Clan (Within his cover clan) near Bears Ears, Utah where he was born and raised.
In the years that followed, Manuelito led one raiding party after another, joining forces with other leaders such as Ganado Mucho and Barboncito to attack not only the hated Mexicans, but also the Hopis in Arizona, the Puebloan peoples of New Mexico, the Utes, the Comanches, and the Apaches.