A new exhibition in Bradford aims to shed light on a controversial chapter of the city’s history, revisiting the live display of a Somali village at the Great Exhibition of 1904. This event, which featured 57 Somali men, women, and children showcasing their culture through cooking, weaving, and dancing, will be examined within the broader context of Britain’s colonial legacy. Opening on Saturday, the exhibition promises to provoke thoughtful discussions about the impact of empire on cultural representation and local wealth.
A Glimpse into History
The 1904 Great Exhibition attracted over 350,000 people to Yorkshire, with the Somali village becoming one of its most popular attractions. Visitors were captivated by the daily activities of the Somali community, including sheep slaughtering for meals and lessons in Arabic and the Qur’an. However, this event, now viewed through a modern lens, raises complex questions about exploitation and representation.
Abira Hussein, the exhibition’s guest curator, points out that the term “human zoo” often used to describe such displays oversimplifies the intricacies involved. She highlights the negotiations that took place between the village leaders, such as Sultan Ali, and the organisers, which included contracts, wages, and even protests over inadequate compensation following the destruction of their living quarters by fire.
Beyond the Spectacle
Curators of the new exhibition stress that it is not merely about recreating the spectacle of the past. Instead, it seeks to centre the experiences of the Somali people
