Has anyone come across the 'Kaffirs' on exhibition in Birmingham in 1851?
They were found by John Ellis in the 1851 British Census. The terminology
perhaps illustrates the growth of racism, or attitudes in that city, or
attitudes towards such 'exhibits'. It reads:
'Kaffir lodger, aged 20, male, 'exhibiting', birthplace South Africa'
'Kaffir, lodger, aged 20, male, exhibiting, birthplace South Africa'
'Kaffir, lodger, aged 20, female, exhibiting themselves, birthplace South
Africa'
'Kaffir lodger, aged 2, female, exhibiting themselves, birthplace South
Africa'
The address was 201 Liverty St, Birmingham.
While on the subject of Birmingham: I have been trying to get some data on
gun exports from that city (and district) after 1807. Guns made up c. 25% of
the cargo of slaving vessels prior to the 1807. If the if the trade in (the
bad) guns made specifically for exchange for enslaved people was not
drastically reduced, we would have some more evidence on British involvement
in the 'nefarious trade'. Fiona Tait, archivist in Birmingham has been
helping me with this. An article she sent me by W.A. Richards, 'Black
Country Guns and the Slave Trade', 'The Blackcountryman', Winter 1975 is of
great interest, but unfortunately does not go much beyond 1807. Does anyone
know of any data? research? Thank you!
Marika Sherwood
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