Ota Benga 1904: Pygmy taken to Africa

While on an expedition in Africa in 1904, an American explorer purchased a young Pygmy man named Ota Benga from traders and brought him to the U.S., where he became part of the “African village” at the St. Louis World’s Fair. After the Fair ended, Ota was hired by the Bronx Zoo to work as a caretaker, but as public fascination with him grew the Zoo began to “exhibit” him, leading to controversy and protests. In response to the criticism the Zoo turned Ota over to Reverend James Gordon, who placed him in an orphanage in Brooklyn.

In 1910 Gordon sent Ota to Lynchburg, Virginia, where he lived with Gregory Hayes, president of Lynchburg’s Virginia Seminary. While a boy in Africa, Ota’s teeth had been chiseled into sharp points, as part of a traditional Pygmy ritual. Rev. Gordon had Ota’s teeth capped and had him dress in conventional American clothing. While attending school he was tutored in English by the poet Anne Spencer. Eventually Ota got a job working in a tobacco factory.

Ota’s dream was to return to his home in Africa and he believed he was nearing his goal. But when World War I broke out, travel to Africa became impossible and Ota became deeply depressed.

On 20 March 1916, Ota Benga built a ceremonial fire in the woods, broke the caps off his teeth, and killed himself. He died one hundred and seven years ago today.

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