The photo shows a young African girl behind a bamboo fence. On the other side, European visitors look at her. Some throw bananas and coins. Some laugh.
It was 1958. The place was the Brussels World's Fair, known as Expo 58. The event was meant to show off human progress after World War II. One exhibit showed something else.
Belgium brought 598 Congolese people to Brussels—273 men, 128 women, and 197 children. They were housed in a replica "Congolese village" surrounded by bamboo fences. They were told to perform traditional crafts while visitors watched. The crowd threw bananas and peanuts. Some imitated monkey sounds.
This was not a historical accident. It was a continuation. Belgium had staged human zoos before, most notably in 1897 at Tervuren, where 267 Congolese people were displayed. At least seven died from pneumonia and influenza during that exhibition.
The 1958 exhibit was the last of its kind. Congo gained independence in 1960. The human zoo became a thing of the past—but only after one final, public display of people as exhibits.
It was 1958. The place was the Brussels World's Fair, known as Expo 58. The event was meant to show off human progress after World War II. One exhibit showed something else.
Belgium brought 598 Congolese people to Brussels—273 men, 128 women, and 197 children. They were housed in a replica "Congolese village" surrounded by bamboo fences. They were told to perform traditional crafts while visitors watched. The crowd threw bananas and peanuts. Some imitated monkey sounds.
This was not a historical accident. It was a continuation. Belgium had staged human zoos before, most notably in 1897 at Tervuren, where 267 Congolese people were displayed. At least seven died from pneumonia and influenza during that exhibition.
The 1958 exhibit was the last of its kind. Congo gained independence in 1960. The human zoo became a thing of the past—but only after one final, public display of people as exhibits.
The photo shows a young African girl behind a bamboo fence. On the other side, European visitors look at her. Some throw bananas and coins. Some laugh.
It was 1958. The place was the Brussels World's Fair, known as Expo 58. The event was meant to show off human progress after World War II. One exhibit showed something else.
Belgium brought 598 Congolese people to Brussels—273 men, 128 women, and 197 children. They were housed in a replica "Congolese village" surrounded by bamboo fences. They were told to perform traditional crafts while visitors watched. The crowd threw bananas and peanuts. Some imitated monkey sounds.
This was not a historical accident. It was a continuation. Belgium had staged human zoos before, most notably in 1897 at Tervuren, where 267 Congolese people were displayed. At least seven died from pneumonia and influenza during that exhibition.
The 1958 exhibit was the last of its kind. Congo gained independence in 1960. The human zoo became a thing of the past—but only after one final, public display of people as exhibits.
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