Ota Benga: The Man Caged as a Spectacle and Forgotten by History

This is the heartbreaking story of Ota Benga, a man from the Batwa tribe in the Congo, who was captured, exploited, and displayed in human exhibits during the early 20th century. From being showcased at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair to his tragic time at the Bronx Zoo, where he was placed in a cage alongside animals, Ota Benga's life reflects the brutal realities of colonialism, racism, and dehumanization. This narrative sheds light on the horrors of human zoos, the exploitation of African people, and the long-lasting effects of colonial injustice.

**Key words**: Ota Benga, human zoos, colonialism, exploitation, racism, Congo, Bronx Zoo, St. Louis World's Fair, dehumanization, African history.