Ota Benga Revisted

In a case of history repeating itself (this time as farce?), a Congolese zoo played host to a troop of “Pygmy” musicians (I’m assuming Mbuti). But it’s ok, it’s not discrimination. Really:

“It’s not a case of discrimination,” said Yvette Lebondzo, the director of arts and culture for the Republic of Congo. “We lodged them in the park near running water and a forest simply because that will remind them of their usual surroundings — which is the forest.”

I suppose they work just as hard to find culturally appropriate housing for other visiting world musicians — coke dens for American boy bands, teepees for American Indians, yurts for Himalayan techno groups, etc.

[Via BoingBoing]