Human Exhibits Collection

Colonial Exhibition Paris 1907, Pavillon de Haute Guinee, type of Foulahs women
JAB5036846 Colonial Exhibition Paris 1907, Pavillon de Haute Guinee, type of Foulahs women.; (add.info.: Colonial Exhibition Paris 1907, Pavillon de Haute Guinee)

Egypt, Cairo: Cook Cruise, Nile Coast, Zoo, Giraffes, 1900
LUX4778829 Egypt, Cairo: Cook Cruise, Nile Coast, Zoo, Giraffes, 1900; (add.info.: Egypt, Cairo: Cook Cruise, Nile Coast, Zoo, Giraffes, 1900); Photo © Lux-in-Fine

France, Exterior view of lapons at the garden of acclimatization (human zoo), 1870
LUX4732821 France, Exterior view of lapons at the garden of acclimatization (human zoo), 1870; (add.info.: France, Exterior view of lapons at the garden of acclimatization (human zoo)

Eskimo man on the Bois de Boulogne, for the World's fair of 1878 (photo)
6202823 Eskimo man on the Bois de Boulogne, for the World's fair of 1878 (photo); (add.info.: ANTROPOLOGY Eskimo man on the Bois de Boulogne)

Colonial Exhibition Marseille 1906, village of French Sudan
JAB5036832 Colonial Exhibition Marseille 1906, village of French Sudan.; (add.info.: Colonial Exhibition Marseille 1906, village of French Sudan.); Photo ©Jaime Abecasis

Colonial Exhibition Paris 1907, blacksmith of French Sudan
JAB5036822 Colonial Exhibition Paris 1907, blacksmith of French Sudan.; (add.info.: Colonial Exhibition Paris 1907, blacksmith of French Sudan.); Photo ©Jaime Abecasis

Colonial Exhibition Paris 1907, case and types Cochinchinese
JAB5036825 Colonial Exhibition Paris 1907, case and types Cochinchinese; (add.info.: Colonial Exhibition Paris 1907, case and types Cochinchinese); Photo ©Jaime Abecasis

Colonial Exhibition Paris 1907, Peuls and Foulahs women
JAB5036850 Colonial Exhibition Paris 1907, Peuls and Foulahs women; (add.info.: Colonial Exhibition Paris 1907, Peuls and Foulahs women); Photo ©Jaime Abecasis

Colonial Exhibition 1907 Paris. Entrree Village Cochinchine
JAB5036854 Colonial Exhibition 1907 Paris. Entrree Village Cochinchine.; (add.info.: Colonial Exhibition 1907 Paris. Entrree Village Cochinchine.); Photo ©Jaime Abecasis

Colonial Exhibition 1907 Paris, Touaregs making coffee
JAB5036828 Colonial Exhibition 1907 Paris, Touaregs making coffee; (add.info.: Colonial Exhibition 1907 Paris, Touaregs making coffee); Photo ©Jaime Abecasis

Colonial Exhibition Paris 1907, Case and Laotian types
JAB5036827 Colonial Exhibition Paris 1907, Case and Laotian types; (add.info.: Colonial Exhibition Paris 1907, Case and Laotian types); Photo ©Jaime Abecasis

Colonial Exhibition Paris 1907, warrior of French Sudan
JAB5036814 Colonial Exhibition Paris 1907, warrior of French Sudan.; (add.info.: Colonial Exhibition Paris 1907, warrior of French Sudan.); Photo ©Jaime Abecasis

Colonial Exhibition Paris 1907, the Saharan Chef Abdel Kader
JAB5036847 Colonial Exhibition Paris 1907, the Saharan Chef Abdel Kader.; (add.info.: Colonial Exhibition Paris 1907, the Saharan Chef Abdel Kader.); Photo ©Jaime Abecasis

Colonial Exhibition Paris 1907, Canaque meal, Loyaute Islands
JAB5036855 Colonial Exhibition Paris 1907, Canaque meal, Loyaute Islands; (add.info.: Colonial Exhibition Paris 1907, Canaque meal, Loyaute Islands); Photo ©Jaime Abecasis

Colonial Exhibition of Marseille 1906, Moroccan Types
JAB5036849 Colonial Exhibition of Marseille 1906, Moroccan Types; (add.info.: Colonial Exhibition of Marseille 1906, Moroccan Types); Photo ©Jaime Abecasis

Colonial Exhibition 1907, Paris, Saharan encampment
JAB5036837 Colonial Exhibition 1907, Paris, Saharan encampment.; (add.info.: Colonial Exhibition 1907, Paris, Saharan encampment.); Photo ©Jaime Abecasis

Indochina: Colonial Exhibition in Marseilles in 1906, drawing by A. Vimar
FGL5472412 Indochina: Colonial Exhibition in Marseilles in 1906, drawing by A. Vimar.; Fototeca Gilardi

Colonial Exhibition Paris 1907, family of the Loyaute Islands, New Caledonia
JAB5036821 Colonial Exhibition Paris 1907, family of the Loyaute Islands, New Caledonia; (add.info.: Colonial Exhibition Paris 1907, family of the Loyaute Islands)

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

Human exhibits have a dark and troubling history, dating back to the 19th and early 20th centuries when people were put on display in zoos, circuses, and museums for the entertainment of others. These individuals were often from marginalized communities or indigenous cultures, treated as exotic curiosities rather than human beings with their own thoughts, feelings, and dignity. The practice of exhibiting humans reached its peak during the era of colonialism and imperialism when Western powers sought to assert their dominance over non-Western peoples. Indigenous individuals were taken from their homelands and paraded around like animals in cages, subjected to dehumanizing treatment for the amusement of spectators. While they can no longer a common form of entertainment today, the legacy of this cruel practice still lingers. It serves as a stark reminder of the depths to which humanity can sink when fueled by ignorance, prejudice, and greed. As we reflect on this dark chapter in our history, let us remember that every person deserves respect and dignity regardless of their background or circumstances. Let us strive to create a world where all individuals are valued for who they are as unique human beings deserving of empathy and understanding.