Sarah Baartman : L’histoire tragique d’une femme exploitée 😢✊🏾

1. Introduction: A Life Broken by Colonialism
Sarah Baartman, often referred to as the “Hottentot Venus,” became one of the most haunting symbols of Black exploitation and dehumanization under colonial rule. Abducted from South Africa in the early 19th century, she was paraded as a curiosity across Europe, subjected to racism and colonial fetishism.

2. From South Africa to Public Humiliation in Europe

• Born in 1789 in South Africa, Sarah belonged to the Khoikhoi people.
• Deceived by Europeans promising a better life, she was taken to London in 1810 and exhibited as a sideshow attraction.
• Treated like an animal, she was displayed for her “exotic” physique, enduring a dehumanizing gaze.

3. A Tragic End in Paris

• Exploitation and Suffering: In 1814, she was sold to an animal trainer and brought to Paris, where racist scientists examined her to “prove” White superiority. She died in 1815, destitute and heartbroken.
• Posthumous Profanation: Her body was dissected by the naturalist Georges Cuvier, and her remains were displayed in the Musée de l’Homme until 1974. For nearly 200 years, she was treated as an object of curiosity rather than a person.

4. A Long-Awaited Justice

• In 1994, Nelson Mandela demanded the return of her remains to South Africa.
• In 2002, Sarah Baartman was finally brought home and given a dignified burial.

5. Conclusion: A Symbol of Struggle
Sarah Baartman embodies the suffering of Black peoples under colonialism and racism. Her story stands as a call for dignity and respect, ensuring that such injustices are never repeated.

✨ Today, she rests in peace on her native soil, a lasting symbol of resilience.