The Life of Sara

The Life of Sara Baartman

            Sara Baartman was born in South Africa to the Khoi Khoi tribe during the 19^th century. She was the first Khoi Khoi woman who was economically emancipated to France. Sara Baartman came to Cape Town as a servant in 1810. She did not initially know that she was going to be sexually exploited according historians. Sara Baartman was shipped to France on March 20, 1810. She was brought to Europe and promise fame and fortune from her owners. She would never see her motherland again. When she arrived in France men and women came from all around to view her sexual organs. They did not believe that she was human due to her large rear area. Some scientists compared her to animals such as guerillas. They believe that she had a large rear area like guerillas who have a difficult time during their menstrual cycle. Her large rear area was exhibited throughout Britain for entertainment and immoral acts. She was disrespected and treated like an animal because she did not have the same appearance as European women. Sara Baartman was a full figured woman who had large hips and a large vaginal area.

            Sara Baartman often only wore a small garment and was displayed against her will. She did not enjoy the attention she received while on display for Europeans. On many occasions she was offered money for her services and forced to show off her body under pressure. Sara Baartman was promise money and fame for displaying her body instead of receiving fame and fortune she was treated like property. The way she was treated was not humane and appropriate for anyone. She could not come and go as she wanted to and received the help of the African Association an abolitionist group in Europe. Sara Baartman was not considered a slave in London because of the Slave Trade Act of 1807, but she was not liberated by any means. Her owners forced her to comment sexual favors and entertain others for money. On November 24, 1810 the court ruled that Sara Baartman was not being held against her will after they questioned her in Dutch. The count did not believe that she was being degraded or cheated out of any financial obligations from her owners. Her answers during the court case reveal some disturbing contradictions because she stated that she was not being held against her will or being exploited. She was differently being exploited and unhappy due to her treatment. She was shipped to France and examined by George Cuvier for scientific examination which had to be very difficult and uncomfortable. Clearly Cuvier displayed scientific racism and made all Khoi Khoi women seem racially inferior because of their vaginal area.

            Her sexual organs were removed when she died and placed on display until 1974. After her death Sara Baartman body was molded and placed on display. Her body, genitals, and brain was preserved and placed on display in Paris. Sara Baartman body was finally laid to rest on August 9, 2002  in the Gamtoos Valley. In a sense Sara Baartman was mistreated because she did not appeal to Europeans. If she did not have a large rear area and vaginal area she would not made a profit for her owners. Sara Baartman became a sexual icon when she arrived in London in 1810.