ICONIC CORPSE- Saartjie "Sarah" Baartman
Caitlin Doughty・2 minutes read
Saartjie Baartman, an African woman from the Khoikhoi tribe, was exhibited in Europe in the 19th century for her physical features and faced exploitation and abuse. Her remains were repatriated to South Africa in 2002 by Nelson Mandela, honoring her as a woman beyond her objectified portrayal in life and death.
Insights
- Saartjie Baartman was deceptively taken to Europe in the 19th century, where she was exhibited as a spectacle, facing exploitation and coercion despite claims of a fair contract.
- Baartman's story reflects a history of objectification and exploitation, culminating in her posthumous repatriation by Nelson Mandela in 2002, highlighting the enduring impact of colonial exploitation on marginalized individuals.
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Recent questions
Who was Saartjie Baartman?
Saartjie Baartman was an African woman from the Khoikhoi tribe in South Africa who was exhibited in Europe in the early 19th century due to her physical features.
What happened to Saartjie Baartman after her death?
After her death, Saartjie Baartman's body was studied by biologist George Cuvier, and her remains were preserved for display at the Musee de l'Homme until public outcry led to their removal in 1974.
How did Saartjie Baartman's story end?
Saartjie Baartman's story ended with her remains being repatriated to South Africa in 2002 by Nelson Mandela, who honored her by burying her in the Eastern Cape, recognizing her as a woman beyond her objectified portrayal in life and death.
What was the significance of the court case involving Saartjie Baartman in 1810?
The court case in 1810 questioned whether Saartjie Baartman had consented to be a performer or was coerced, with conflicting claims made by Pieter Cezar and others involved in her exhibition.
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Summary
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Exploitation and Repatriation of Saartjie Baartman
- Saartjie Baartman, an African woman from the Khoikhoi tribe in South Africa, was exhibited in Europe in the early 19th century, treated as a spectacle due to her physical features.
- Baartman was taken to England in 1810 by Pieter Cezar and an English ship surgeon, William Dunlop, under the guise of a fair contract promising wealth and fame, which was never found.
- In London, Baartman was exhibited in a freak show at number 225 Piccadilly Street, where she was forced to perform despite showing signs of distress and illness.
- A court case in 1810 questioned whether Baartman had consented to be a performer or was coerced, with Cezar claiming she willingly signed a contract, though her true thoughts remain unknown.
- After being sold to an animal trainer in Paris, Baartman faced further exploitation, being exhibited alongside a bear and likely experiencing sexual assault.
- Biologist George Cuvier sought to study Baartman's body after her death in 1815, preserving her remains for display at the Musee de l'Homme until public outcry led to their removal in 1974.
- In 2002, 192 years after leaving South Africa, Nelson Mandela successfully repatriated Baartman's remains, which were buried in the Eastern Cape, honoring her as a woman beyond her objectified portrayal in life and death.
