human zoo

human zoos, also known as "ethnographic expositions" or "human exhibitions," were a form of entertainment that featured live displays of human beings, often from non-western cultures, as a way of showcasing their perceived differences from western society. these exhibitions were popular in europe and the united states in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and were often presented as a way of educating the public about different cultures and societies.

the history of human zoos can be traced back to the 18th century, when european explorers and colonizers brought back specimens of exotic animals and plants from their travels to be displayed in zoos and museums. in the 19th century, these exhibitions began to include human beings as well, often in a way that was degrading and demeaning.

one of the first recorded human zoos was the "negro village" exhibition at the 1878 world's fair in paris, which featured a group of people from dahomey (now benin) in west africa who were displayed in a village-like setting. this exhibition was followed by others in europe and the united states, including the "indians of north america" exhibit at the 1893 world's fair in chicago, which featured native americans from various tribes living in replicas of their traditional dwellings.

human zoos became increasingly popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and were often used as a way of reinforcing racial and cultural stereotypes and presenting non-western cultures as inferior to western society. these exhibitions were widely criticized for their dehumanizing and degrading treatment of the people on display, and for the way they perpetuated harmful stereotypes and prejudices.

in the mid-20th century, human zoos began to fall out of favor as attitudes towards race and culture began to change and people became more aware of the harm they caused. today, human zoos are generally considered to be a deeply troubling and unethical aspect of the history of colonialism and racial discrimination, and they are widely condemned as a form of exploitation and dehumanization.