Human Zoos and Ota Benga

In September 1906, visitors to the Bronx Zoo found a new exhibit. Standing in a cage in the Monkey House was not an animal, but a young man, dressed in a loincloth and holding a bow with arrows. Though many details of his life are uncertain, what we do know of Ota Benga is a tragic story of a man who suffered much at the hands of his fellow men. It is history that deserves to be remembered.

This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.

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All events are portrayed in historical context and for educational purposes. No images or content are primarily intended to shock and disgust. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Non censuram.

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Script by JCG

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