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.
You must log in to post a comment.