How Do You Spell BARRACOON?

Pronunciation: [bˌaɹɐkˈuːn] (IPA)

Barracoon is a term used to describe a type of slave pen or holding cell. The spelling of this word is based on the Portuguese word "barracão," which means a large building or shed. The IPA phonetic transcription for barracoon is /bəˈrækoon/, with the stress on the second syllable. The letters "oo" indicate that the "o" sound should be pronounced longer than usual. The spelling of barracoon reflects the word's African origins, as it was commonly used in West and Central Africa to describe slave trading posts.

BARRACOON Meaning and Definition

1. A barracoon refers to a small and unadorned structure often used as a temporary holding place for enslaved African people before they were transported and sold into bondage during the transatlantic slave trade. The term is derived from the Spanish word "barraca," meaning a crude shack or hut. Barracoons were typically located near the coastal regions of West Africa, where African captives would be gathered and confined prior to their embarkation onto ships destined for the Americas.

   These structures were designed with the primary purpose of holding and isolating individuals, ensuring they remained under constant watch and control until their sale. Barracoons often lacked basic amenities, offering minimal living conditions for their occupants. While conditions varied depending on the location and time period, barracoons were notorious for their overcrowded and unsanitary environments, contributing to the spread of diseases among captives.

   Barracoons symbolize the heart-wrenching reality of the transatlantic slave trade, serving as a grim reminder of the inhumane treatment endured by enslaved Africans. The term also highlights the dehumanizing process of confinement and separation from their homeland, with barracoons functioning as stepping stones in the brutal journey from freedom to enslavement. In modern use, the term "barracoon" primarily refers to these historical structures, provoking sober reflection on the atrocities of the transatlantic slave trade and the enduring resilience of the African diaspora.

2. In Africa, a fort or castle; an enclosure where slaves are quartered.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for BARRACOON

• varracoon
• narracoon
• harracoon
• garracoon
• bzrracoon
• bsrracoon
• bwrracoon
• bqrracoon
• baeracoon
• badracoon
• bafracoon
• batracoon
• ba5racoon
• ba4racoon
• bareacoon
• bardacoon
• barfacoon
• bartacoon
• bar5acoon

Etymology of BARRACOON

The word "barracoon" has its origins in the West African dialects, particularly those of Bantu languages. It was originally derived from the Kikongo word "barako", which means "hut" or "enclosure". The Portuguese then adopted this term as "barracão", which means a large shed or warehouse. During the African slave trade, the Portuguese traders introduced the concept of "barracoon" to refer to the temporary holding pens or enclosures where captured Africans were kept before being shipped to the Americas as slaves. The word "barracoon" eventually made its way into English during the 18th century.

Plural form of BARRACOON is BARRACOONS