Also 8 congo. [In F. cangue, ad. Pg. cango, connected with canga ‘yoke for oxen, porter’s yoke.’
Prof. Legge thinks that the notion that the Portuguese name represents or was suggested by a Chinese word is baseless. The Chinese name is kiá, in modern Pekinese chiá, in Canton dial. ka, explained as ‘one stick added to another, as a flail, a cangue or wooden collar.’ The kang-giai, mod. Mandarin k‘ing-hiai, ch‘ing-hiai ‘neck-fetter,’ cited from the Kwang-yun (a Dict. of 1009) is not the name, but merely one of the explanations of the character kiá.]
A broad heavy wooden frame or board worn round the neck like a kind of portable pillory as a punishment in China.
1727. A. Hamilton, New Acc. E. Ind., II. 175 (Y.). With his neck in the congoes.
1797. Staunton, Embassy, II. 492 (Y.). The punishment of the cha, usually called by Europeans the cangue, is generally inflicted for petty crimes.
1836. Penny Cycl., s.v., The cang most commonly in use weighs 50 or 60 pounds…. As the cang prevents his making any use of his hands, he must be fed by others.
1883. Q. Rev., Jan. Corea 188. A sort of cangue was fastened round the neck.
Hence Cangue v.
[1696. Bowyer, Jrnl. Cochin China, in Dalrymple, Orient. Rep., I. 81 (Y.). He was imprisoned, congoed, tormented.]
1883. Daily Tel., 2 Oct., 3/2. Several men were brought up and cangued, the square boards being opened, their heads thrust through, the boards nailed up, [etc.].
