Ota Benga Made Famous while on exhibition during the 1904 World Fair and later on in a zoo
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In 1904, the St Louis World Fair had cultural exhibit, however, what was presented was the farthest from ethical, moral, and responsible practice of anthropology.
It featured caged, live humans, imported from Central Africa. Ota Benga was one such unfortunate individual. He was a 23 year old Mbuti pygmy, who had witnessed the massacre of his entire family by white imperialists. One Belgian imperialist, Samuel Verner purchased Benga for a pound of salt and a bolt of cloth. |
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After garnering international interest during the fair, Verner sold Benga to the Bronx Zoo. There, he was caged in the same exhibit as an orangutan. Here, he was no longer given the honor of even being considered human. He was compared to a monkey (a regularly suggested idea by whites about the true nature of African Americans at the time). The zoo keepers had scattered bones resembling those of humans to present the notion that he was cannibalistic. In front of the cage was a sign describing his features: 4'11" tall, 103 pounds. His exhibit was entitled the Bushman Animal.
His presence had sparked a sensation throughout America and Europe. American black pastors were horrified, and quickly rose together to fight against his treatment. He had started to fight against his captors too. With public pressure becoming too much for Bronx zoo, he was removed from exhibit and released to the care of a Reverend.
After multiple failed attempts to return home and the beginning of WWI, Benga lost all faith in ever seeing his beloved rain forests again. Despite finding work in Virginia, Benga could not overcome his homesickness. He committed suicide March 20, 1916.
His presence had sparked a sensation throughout America and Europe. American black pastors were horrified, and quickly rose together to fight against his treatment. He had started to fight against his captors too. With public pressure becoming too much for Bronx zoo, he was removed from exhibit and released to the care of a Reverend.
After multiple failed attempts to return home and the beginning of WWI, Benga lost all faith in ever seeing his beloved rain forests again. Despite finding work in Virginia, Benga could not overcome his homesickness. He committed suicide March 20, 1916.