Zora Neale Hurston’s “Barracoon: The Story of the Last ‘Black Cargo’” is a powerful and long-overdue testament to the human cost of slavery. Published in 2018, nearly 90 years after it was written, this work showcases Hurston’s skills not just as a writer, but as an anthropologist and chronicler of African American history.

The book centers on Hurston’s 1927 interviews with Cudjo Lewis (born Oluale Kossola), believed to be the last living survivor of the Middle Passage. Through Kossola’s firsthand account, we gain a rare glimpse into pre-colonial African life, the horrors of the slave trade, and the struggles of building a new life in post-Civil War America.

Hurston’s decision to preserve Kossola’s vernacular speech adds authenticity and intimacy to the narrative. As a reader, I felt transported to Kossola’s porch, sharing peaches and watermelon as he recounted his extraordinary life journey. The raw emotion and vivid details of his memories are haunting and deeply moving.

What makes “Barracoon” essential reading is its unique perspective on a dark chapter of history. Unlike most slave narratives, which focus on experiences in America, Kossola’s story provides insight into African society before enslavement and the traumatic rupture of capture. It challenges us to confront the full humanity of those who endured the slave trade and its lasting impact on individuals and communities.

Hurston, a towering figure of the Harlem Renaissance, brings her considerable talents to bear in this work. Her compassionate approach to Kossola and her commitment to preserving his voice showcase her skills as both a writer and an ethnographer.

Questions to ponder:

1. How does Kossola’s account change your understanding of the slave trade and its impact?

2. What can we learn from Hurston’s approach to preserving Kossola’s story in his own words?

3. How do the themes of identity, memory, and cultural preservation in “Barracoon” resonate in today’s world?