The World's Fair Human Zoo Arrives in Tacoma
A group of Filipinos, part of a traveling exhibit for the St. Louis World's Fair, stops in Tacoma, revealing the dehumanizing lens through which the era viewed them.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The steamship Shawmut arrived in Tacoma this morning carrying a company of Filipinos bound for the St. Louis World's Fair. Preparations were underway at noon for their transfer to waiting cars. A portion of the vessel was reserved for the group referred to as 'head hunters.' Their faces were covered with tattoo marks, and they wore brass and wooden ear ornaments. Because their native climate is warmer than the Pacific Northwest, they were provided with blankets and extra clothing during the voyage, though many reportedly discarded the garments. During the crossing, the group maintained their own customs, including women smoking cigars. Several clashes occurred between different tribal groups on board. On St. Patrick's Day, the party held a concert in the main saloon, showcasing the musical talents of the group, which also included young men skilled in traditional dance. The entire party left this evening in tourist cars for St. Louis.
“The faces of these are more animal than human. With bio and a villainous scowl are the chief facial characteristics.”
This article reflects the 'human zoo' exhibitions common at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, which exploited Indigenous people for Western amusement. Today, it serves as a stark reminder of the colonial attitudes that permeated the early 20th-century media, framing these travelers as 'animal' rather than human.
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