Hurston, Zora Neale: 1891-1960

Barracoon, 2018 - Information about the Book

  • General Information
    • This is the oral history of Cudjo Lewis, or Oluale Kossola, the last living African “cargo” of the slave ship, Clotilda. Kossola was sold and captured from Dahomey (presently Benin) and brought to Mobile Bay in Alabama.
    • Information from Wikipeda
    • A modern English version is available. Hurston wrote the story in Kossola’s dialect.
    • Reader Rating:

    • The book is based on interviews she conducted in 1927 and 1928 with Cudjo Lewis (Oluale Kossola), one of the last known survivors of the transatlantic slave trade.
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  • Facts
    • A barracoon is a prison where captives were held before being shipped across the Atlantic.
    • Hurston began working as an investigator for the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) in 1927.
      She traveled for six months throughout Florida and other places in the South to collect folklore from the Black people living there. Hurston interviewed Kossola in Mobile, Alabama. Based on this interview, the article, “Cudjo’s Own Story of the Last African Slaver,” was published in The Journal of Negro History.
      Hurston made many attempts to publish the interview as "Barracoon", but was unsuccessful. She did not find a pubisher because she wanted to authentically represent Kossola’s story by writing in his dialect.
      The book was finally published in 2018.
    • Awards: The book received numerous accolades and nominations and was highly acclaimed for its historical significance and literary merit.

    • The Last Survivor of the Atlantic Slave Trade
      The book is based on interviews conducted by Zora Neale Hurston in 1927 with Cudjo Lewis, who was abducted from Africa in 1860 at age 19 and brought to the United States on the last known slave ship, the Clotilda. As the last living survivor of the transatlantic slave trade, Lewis's firsthand account provides a rare and invaluable perspective on this tragic chapter of history.

      Life in Africa Before Enslavement
      Lewis vividly recounts his childhood in Africa, including details about his village, customs, and way of life before being captured and enslaved. This offers a glimpse into the rich cultures and traditions that were devastated by the slave trade.

      The Trauma of Capture and Middle Passage
      Lewis describes in harrowing detail the raid on his village, his capture, and the horrific conditions endured during the Middle Passage journey across the Atlantic packed in the hold of the Clotilda slave ship.

      Preserving Language and Oral Tradition
      Hurston made the deliberate choice to transcribe Lewis's story in his own dialect and vernacular English, preserving the cadence and authenticity of his voice as a griot (West African storyteller). This highlights the importance of language in maintaining cultural identity and oral histories.

      The Pain of Loss and Dislocation
      Throughout the interviews, Lewis grapples with the profound loss of his homeland, family, and way of life – a pain that never left him. The book poignantly captures the trauma of being torn from one's roots and the struggle to rebuild a sense of community and belonging.

      By giving voice to Cudjo Lewis's remarkable life story, Barracoon serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable cruelty and injustice.

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    • Upon its release, "Barracoon" received widespread attention and critical acclaim. Many critics and scholars appreciated the book for its historical importance.

      Critics highlighted Huston's skillful use of Lewis's dialect and vernacular, which added depth and realism to his story.

      While the book was widely acclaimed, some critics pointed out potential issues with Hurston's ethnographic approach and the ethical implications of her relationship with Cudjo Lewis. There were discussions about the balance between preserving authenticity and the interpretative role of the interviewer.

      Overall, "Barracoon" was received as a vital contribution to American literature and history, providing an invaluable perspective on the African American experience and the enduring impact of slavery. The book's release was celebrated as a significant literary event, bringing Zora Neale Hurston's work and Cudjo Lewis's story to a broader audience.

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  • Commentary
    • Zora Neale Hurston's "Barracoon" is a profoundly moving account that captures the voice and experience of Cudjo Lewis (Kossola), one of the last known survivors of the transatlantic slave trade. Based on Hurston's interviews with Kossola in the 1920s, the book reflects her dedication to preserving oral histories and illuminating a dark chapter in American history.

      What sets "Barracoon" apart is its authenticity. Hurston retains Kossola's dialect, allowing readers to experience his story as he told it, with all its pain, resilience, and humanity. His narrative begins in West Africa, recounting his life before being captured and sold into slavery, and moves through his forced journey on the illegal slave ship Clotilda to his struggles in post-emancipation America. This raw and unfiltered testimony bridges personal and historical trauma, making the book an invaluable contribution to African American literature and history.

      Hurston’s empathetic portrayal humanizes Kossola while highlighting the systemic inhumanity of slavery. The book also raises questions about cultural memory and the erasure of African voices in historical narratives. "Barracoon" is both a tribute to Kossola's endurance and a stark reminder of the enduring legacy of slavery, compelling readers to confront history with unflinching honesty.

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  • Reviews
    • Review: "This was my first Zora Neale Hurston piece and I look forward to reading more of her works." Book Girl Magic; May 12, 2018
  • Explanations
  • Publishing History

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