Sex Fact #518

The 'Hottentot Venus' was the name given to an African girl of the Hottentot tribe, who was captured, brought to England, and put on display because she had abnormally large buttocks. She came to symbolize fertility and unrestrained sexuality. The British aristocracy viewed her as a freak of nature.

Her name was Saartjie "Sarah" Baartman. She was born in 1789 and died in 1815, when she was just 26.  She was the most famous of at least two Khoikhoi women who were exhibited as "freak show" attractions in 19th century Europe.

"Hottentot" as the then-current name for the Khoi people, is now considered an offensive term. "Venus" in reference to the Roman Goddess of Love.

Info Source: Sara Baartman and the Hottentot Venus: A Ghost Story and a Biography Clifton Crais and Pamela Scully (2008).