Untold Pacific History - Season 3: Episode 3 'Savages on Show: Samoans in Human Zoos of Europe'

Dusky maidens and Samoan savages - the story of how groups of Samoans were taken to Germany at the turn of the century to be exhibited alongside the animals.

The descendants of these families, Samoan historians and a museumologist in Germany give their views on this little known part of Samoa’s history as a German colony. During the height of Europe’s fascination with world expositions, colonial powers transported indigenous peoples to Europe to be displayed in ‘Human Zoos’ - often framed as the link between humans and animals or as spectacles of the exotic and savage subjects of empire. Samoans became a part of this fetish for the savage and exotic.

In a series of expositions that at one point involved Samoa’s most paramount chief Tupua Tamasese Lealofi I. In the early 1900’s a large ‘Samoan Village’ showcased troupes of Samoans around Germany - but two key Samoans who went separately on these trips had their own motivations

These are the stories of those who were exhibited alongside the animals for their exotic allure and noble savagery, for the pleasure of the new European leisure class of the Industrial Revolution. In a particular act of horror, one man who died along with others in an early trip, had his skinned torso displayed in a Belgian museum to show his pe'a tatau. Sold to Samoans as important diplomatic 'malaga' or journeys, this documentary looks at what happened on the last of these 'native exhibitions' organised by two German brothers - the Marquartds.

Te'o Tuvale, son of Petaia and Vinepa from Lalomalava and Fasito'outa, and Naitua Atoa So'onanofo daughter of Atoa So'onanofo and Tapasu from Tanugamanono and Siumu, met on one of these trips and became the grandparents of Emeritus Professor Tagaloatele Peggy Fairbairn-Dunlop, who tells their story. Le Afioga i le Tama-a-Aiga Tui Ā‘ana Tupua Tamasese Efi shares the story of his grandfather Tupua Tamasese Lealofi I, who was manipulated into going being taken to a German zoo.

Fa'afetai lava to the research of Dr Hilke Thode-Arora that informed much of this project, and the generosity of the aiga that shared their stories with the world.

*WATCH this little known story of an important chapter of Samoa's history.