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Sarrtjie Baartman

I Never Knew Who Hottentot Venus Was

Wed, 04/13/2011 - 17:21
Submitted by Carlin Ross

Saartjie Baartman was a slave whose labia minora were so enlarged and stretched (and ass was so big) that she was "exhibited" at freak show attractions in 19th century Europe under the name Hottentot Venus.

When people got tired of viewing her as a spectacle, Saartjie resorted to prostitution to support herself in France.

Here's the kicker. After her death, Saartjie’s genitals were preserved and placed on display at the Paris’ Musée de l’Homme until 1974. Finally in 2002, her remains were sent back to her homeland in South Africa.

Can you imagine having your genitals put on display after your death? I googled around to find one picture of this woman - there were a few but I couldn't be sure they were authentic.