Barracoon uol mail

"Barracoon: The Story of the Last 'Black Cargo'" is a non-fiction book written by Zora Neale Hurston, first published in 1931. The book is based on the life story of Cudjo Lewis, a former slave who was brought to the United States from Africa in the 19th century.

The book is a unique and powerful account of the transatlantic slave trade and its lasting impact on the lives of enslaved Africans and their descendants. Cudjo Lewis was one of the last living survivors of the transatlantic slave trade, and his story provides a firsthand account of the brutal conditions and experiences of enslaved people.

The book is also significant because it challenges the traditional narratives of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade, which often focus on the experiences of white slave owners and traders. Instead, "Barracoon" centers the voices and experiences of enslaved Africans, providing a more nuanced and accurate understanding of this painful period in American history.

In 2018, the book was re-released with a new introduction by historian and author, Deborah E. McDowell, which provides context and background information on the book's significance and importance.

Here are some interesting facts about "Barracoon":

  1. The book was originally published in 1931, but it was largely forgotten until its re-release in 2018.
  2. Cudjo Lewis was born in West Africa around 1840 and was captured and sold into slavery in the 1850s.
  3. Lewis was brought to the United States and sold to a plantation owner in Alabama, where he was forced to work as a slave.
  4. The book is based on interviews that Hurston conducted with Lewis in the 1920s, as well as her own research and observations.
  5. "Barracoon" is considered a classic of African American literature and has been recognized as a significant work in the study of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade.
  6. The book has been praised for its powerful and moving portrayal of the experiences of enslaved people, as well as its challenge to traditional narratives of slavery and racism.

Overall, "Barracoon" is an important and powerful book that provides a unique and personal account of the transatlantic slave trade and its lasting impact on the lives of enslaved people.