....that the word "barbecue" has a Haitian origin? When Spanish explorers first came in contact with the native Taíno people of Hispaniola, they observed them roasting meat on wooden lattices over an open flame, allowing smoke to rise and flavor the meat. This method of cooking was called barbacoa, which changed over time into "barbecue."
The neighboring Arawak people, who used a similar technique, called their wooden cooking frames boukan. This word was integrated into Haitian Creole, where "boukannen" means "grilled over coals." The word "buccaneer" comes from the same root, as the pirates who prowled in Caribbean waters became associated with the roasted meat they bought from the Arawaks.
Here's to Haitian history as we enjoy our barbecues this summer....The HaitiHub
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