Buccaneer

Buccaneer is a term that was used in the later 17th century in the Caribbean Islands. The term Buccaneer comes from the French word "Boucanier". These Boucaniers originally were hunters who were poaching cattle and pigs. They would smoke the meat on wooden frames, "boucans", so that it could be saved for a later time. The Boucaniers were taught this by the local Arawak tribes from Santo Domingo, calling the method Barbicoa - which is where the word and method of Barbecue originated.

Pirate band

Buccaneers or pirates established the reputation of being independent, adventurous, intrusive, and even criminal men by character. Some types of people that made up a pirate band are: runaway indentured servants or slaves, unsuccessful planters, criminals, liberalists, and nonconformists. In order to establish a pirate band, really all a group would have to do would be to find a boat to occupy, have good winds, and set sail. Buccaneers originally began to occupy Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Tortuga. It was ideal for pirates to establish bases in these parts because these lands had great ports, rugged mountains, and lush terrains to help the buccaneers sneak out of hidden places. These rocky areas also hindered uncomplicated transportation and communication while traveling through the area. Buccaneers illegally camped in these lands as well as sailed around them and repeatedly harassed trade ships.

Related Topics:
Slaves - Jamaica - Hispaniola - Tortuga - Ports

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