How I, as a young coloured woman, feel connected to Saartjie Baartman

We love the manner in which Deidré Jantjies raises the point that we have been conditioned to have Eurocentric views of our body shapes and facial features. In the article below which originally appeared in LiveMag.co.za she explains how she feels connected to Saartjie Baartman. – Editor.

How I, as a young coloured woman, feel connected to Saartjie Baartman
by Deidré Jantjies

December 29th is the 200th anniversary of Saartjie Baartman’s death. I have always felt a deep connection to her, especially as a coloured woman because I feel we don’t have a lot of information about our forefathers.

I started searching myself and in other places for the answers to my identity, and this is when I discovered Saartjie Baartman within my image. Baartman was a Khoi woman who was shipped from Cape Town to Europe to be paraded around like a freak show. Her story resonated with me and for a long time I did not know why, until now. Watch my story below:

WATCH: Deidré Jantjies – Sarah Baartman is My Ancestor

Here is video of the Tribute to Sarah Bartman poem by Diana Ferrus.

WATCH: Diana Ferrus: – I’ve come to take you home

Also WATCH: Onderhoud – Diana Ferrus – KLOP! where she discusses Saartjie Baartman with Heindrich Wyngaard and touches on the issue of Body Shaming.