By Ebuka Dili
In the heart of Belgium’s history lies a dark chapter that echoes with the pain and humiliation of countless individuals. The mistreatment of Africans within the confines of what were infamously known as “human zoos” is a haunting reminder of a colonial past that continues to shape perceptions today.
Historian Guido Gryseels, a
former director of the Africa Museum, has been at the forefront of bringing
this unsettling history to light, urging Belgium to confront the brutal realities
of its colonial legacy.
In the late 19th and early 20th
centuries, Belgium’s colonial ambitions reached their zenith under King Leopold
II, who seized control of the Congo in 1885. His reign was marked by unimaginable
cruelty, with estimates suggesting that around 10 million Congolese people
perished as a result of exploitation, forced labor, and savage punishments. It
was a regime built on the extraction of wealth—especially rubber and ivory, while
subjecting the local population to inhumane conditions.
The legacy of this brutality
continued to manifest in grotesque ways. In 1897, King Leopold II ordered a
human zoo to be staged on the grounds of what is now the Africa Museum. A mock
village was constructed to showcase Congolese people, forcing them into a
dehumanizing spectacle for the amusement of European audiences. Tragically, the
harsh conditions led to the deaths of several participants from diseases like
pneumonia and influenza, highlighting the callousness of those who orchestrated
these exhibits.
Fast forward to 1958, Belgium
hosted a world fair to showcase its post-war advancements. Among the exhibits
was another live display of Congolese people, placed in a fabricated village
designed to perpetuate stereotypes and a false narrative of civilization.
Disturbing photographs from this exhibit depict men, women, and children
standing in front of straw huts, dressed in what were deemed “traditional”
attire. In one particularly shocking image, a little girl is seen in a pen,
while visitors gawk through bamboo fences, offering her food as if she were an
animal on display. Onlookers laughed, heckled, and even threw bananas at the
villagers, treating them as mere curiosities rather than human beings with
dignity and stories of their own.
Guido Gryseels, who still
serves on the museum’s board, described the emotional toll this exhibit took on
the Congolese participants. “The Congolese staff felt very humiliated because
people were throwing bananas and treating them as though they were wild
animals. Many of them left, resigned, and returned to Congo,” he recounted.
This humiliation was not just an isolated incident; it was symptomatic of a
broader colonial mindset that viewed Africans as inferior and in need of control.
While the Africa Museum has
evolved from being a tool of colonial propaganda to a space that confronts this
painful past, Gryseels emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and learning
from history. “It was a propaganda tool filled with stereotypes, portraying
Africans as uncivilized and promoting the false narrative that Belgium brought
‘civilization’ to Congo,” he explained. The museum now plays a vital role in
combating racism and educating the public about the consequences of
colonialism.
Belgium’s colonial history,
particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is a complex tapestry woven
with threads of exploitation and resistance. The colonial period officially
lasted from 1908 until 1960, but the roots of exploitation can be traced back to
King Leopold II’s seizure of power. His regime was characterized by unspeakable
violence, with the Congolese people subjected to forced labor and brutal
punishments in the name of profit.
Despite the atrocities
committed, King Leopold II’s legacy was whitewashed in the years following his
death in 1909. Statues were erected in his honor, and his reign was framed as a
period of national pride. This historical amnesia persisted well into the 21st
century, with the darker aspects of Belgium’s colonial past largely
unacknowledged.
Gryseels’ efforts to transform
the Africa Museum reflect a growing recognition of the need to confront this
painful history. “When I became director, about 95% of Belgians still believed
that colonialism was a good thing for Congo. Now, recent research shows less
than a quarter of the population holds that view,” he noted. This shift in
perspective gives credence to the power of education and the importance of
acknowledging the past. zoos, while a shocking aspect of Belgium’s history,
were not unique to the country.
They were common across Europe,
Asia, and America during this period. Gryseels pointed out that around a
million people visited the 1897 human zoo, reflecting a widespread fascination
with the exoticization of colonized peoples. “These exhibits were part of a
larger narrative that sought to justify colonialism by portraying the colonized
as primitive and in need of European intervention,” he said.
Yet, the transformation of the museum is not simply about acknowledging past wrongs; it is also about celebrating the rich cultures of Africa and highlighting the resilience of its people. Gryseels envisions the museum as a space that helps “decolonize minds in Belgium,” fostering a deeper understanding of the complexities of colonial history and its ongoing impact on contemporary society.
As the museum continues its
journey of transformation, it serves as a beacon of hope for change. Gryseels
believes that confronting the past is essential for healing and reconciliation.
“We must engage in difficult conversations about colonialism and its legacy,
not just in Belgium but globally,” he said. “Only then can we hope to build a more
just and equitable world.”
The stories of those who
suffered in these human zoos deserve to be told, not as mere footnotes in
history but as powerful narratives that remind us of the resilience of the
human spirit. The Congolese men, women, and children who were subjected to
humiliation and dehumanization were not just victims; they were individuals
with rich histories, cultures, and identities that extend far beyond the confines
of those degrading exhibits.
Reflecting on the past also
opens the door for discussions about reparations and accountability. How can
nations confront their colonial legacies while seeking to rectify the wrongs of
history? As Belgium grapples with these questions, the transformation of the
Africa Museum serves as a model for other institutions seeking to engage with
their own complex histories.
The legacy of Belgium’s human
zoos and its colonial past is a painful reminder of the injustices that have
shaped our world. Historian Guido Gryseels and the Africa Museum’s efforts to
confront this history represent a crucial step toward understanding and
reconciliation.
By educating the public and
fostering dialogue about colonialism and its ramifications, Belgium can begin
to heal and move forward, creating a society that values diversity, equity, and
justice for all. The stories of those who endured the horrors of the past must
be honored, ensuring that the lessons learned are never forgotten and that such
atrocities are never repeated.
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