Word Archaeology: cangue

This French word, derived from the Portuguese word “canga”, refers to a device that was used for punishment and public humiliation in Asia until the early 20th Century. A sort of pillory, it didn’t restrict the prisoner’s hands quite as much and wasn’t affixed to a base. However, the cangue made it impossible for the prisoner to feed themselves, sometimes leading to death by starvation if they couldn’t count on help from people passing by.

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Wes Platt

Lead storyteller. Game designer and journalist. Recovering Floridian.

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