1/ - Colonial Postcards from Somalia.

For the past few weeks, I have been collecting these antique British, Italian & French colonial postcards depicting Somalis & life in Somalia.

I will be sharing the scanned version of these postcards along with what I know so far.
1/ - Colonial Postcards from Somalia.For the past few weeks, I have been collecting these antique British, Italian & French colonial postcards depicting Somalis & life in Somalia.I will be sharing the scanned version of these postcards along with what I know so far.
1/ - Colonial Postcards from Somalia.For the past few weeks, I have been collecting these antique British, Italian & French colonial postcards depicting Somalis & life in Somalia.I will be sharing the scanned version of these postcards along with what I know so far.
2/ As postcards were much cheaper and accessible than picture prints, they were used as a medium to share and reinforce the European stereotypes of Africa.

The first image dates back to 1902. Dates of the other two are unknown, but most likely closer to the first.
2/ As postcards were much cheaper and accessible than picture prints, they were used as a medium to share and reinforce the European stereotypes of Africa. The first image dates back to 1902. Dates of the other two are unknown, but most likely closer to the first.
2/ As postcards were much cheaper and accessible than picture prints, they were used as a medium to share and reinforce the European stereotypes of Africa. The first image dates back to 1902. Dates of the other two are unknown, but most likely closer to the first.
2/ As postcards were much cheaper and accessible than picture prints, they were used as a medium to share and reinforce the European stereotypes of Africa. The first image dates back to 1902. Dates of the other two are unknown, but most likely closer to the first.
3/ The postcards pushed the “savage and uncivilized people" narrative - playing a part in the rationalisation for colonisation at the time

Like the above, these colourised images were from the British times. The first one dates back to 1907.
3/ The postcards pushed the “savage and uncivilized people" narrative - playing a part in the rationalisation for colonisation at the timeLike the above, these colourised images were from the British times. The first one dates back to 1907.
3/ The postcards pushed the “savage and uncivilized people" narrative - playing a part in the rationalisation for colonisation at the timeLike the above, these colourised images were from the British times. The first one dates back to 1907.
3/ The postcards pushed the “savage and uncivilized people" narrative - playing a part in the rationalisation for colonisation at the timeLike the above, these colourised images were from the British times. The first one dates back to 1907.
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5/ And not all images were taken in Somalia. This postcard from 1911 wast taken in Lille. Most likely part of the Human zoo tour in Europe (also known as ethnological expositions) See this thread for more - https://twitter.com/epi_afro/status/1282055757937152002
6/ These were taken before the 1930s in Somalia and Djibouti.
6/ These were taken before the 1930s in Somalia and Djibouti.
6/ These were taken before the 1930s in Somalia and Djibouti.
6/ These were taken before the 1930s in Somalia and Djibouti.
6/ These were taken before the 1930s in Somalia and Djibouti.
7 / These and the subsequent shots were published in by Foto A. Parodi - a publishing company in Torino.
7 / These and the subsequent shots were published in by Foto A. Parodi - a publishing company in Torino.
7 / These and the subsequent shots were published in by Foto A. Parodi - a publishing company in Torino.
7 / These and the subsequent shots were published in by Foto A. Parodi - a publishing company in Torino.
7 / These and the subsequent shots were published in by Foto A. Parodi - a publishing company in Torino.
8 / These were taken during the Italian times. Dates unknown, but they are tagged as circa 1930s.
8 / These were taken during the Italian times. Dates unknown, but they are tagged as circa 1930s.
8 / These were taken during the Italian times. Dates unknown, but they are tagged as circa 1930s.
8 / These were taken during the Italian times. Dates unknown, but they are tagged as circa 1930s.
8 / These were taken during the Italian times. Dates unknown, but they are tagged as circa 1930s.
9 / In this era, a lot of the postcards were featuring women posing for the camera - the images would sometimes show nude and half-nude women. This was part of a propaganda to entice young European men to the colonies for work.
9 / In this era, a lot of the postcards were featuring women posing for the camera - the images would sometimes show nude and half-nude women. This was part of a propaganda to entice young European men to the colonies for work.
9 / In this era, a lot of the postcards were featuring women posing for the camera - the images would sometimes show nude and half-nude women. This was part of a propaganda to entice young European men to the colonies for work.
9 / In this era, a lot of the postcards were featuring women posing for the camera - the images would sometimes show nude and half-nude women. This was part of a propaganda to entice young European men to the colonies for work.
9 / In this era, a lot of the postcards were featuring women posing for the camera - the images would sometimes show nude and half-nude women. This was part of a propaganda to entice young European men to the colonies for work.
10/ Some pictures showing the "exotic other".
10/ Some pictures showing the "exotic other".
10/ Some pictures showing the "exotic other".
11/ And then you had the oil paintings. These don't have a date on them. But they have been painted by an artist called L. Ajmone. The woman in red is holding cotton. Not sure where the locations are.
11/ And then you had the oil paintings. These don't have a date on them. But they have been painted by an artist called L. Ajmone. The woman in red is holding cotton. Not sure where the locations are.
11/ And then you had the oil paintings. These don't have a date on them. But they have been painted by an artist called L. Ajmone. The woman in red is holding cotton. Not sure where the locations are.
11/ And then you had the oil paintings. These don't have a date on them. But they have been painted by an artist called L. Ajmone. The woman in red is holding cotton. Not sure where the locations are.
12/ Some more oil paintings.
12/ Some more oil paintings.
12/ Some more oil paintings.
13/ While some of these visuals inspire a yearning for a time and culture before our existence, they are also a poignant reminder of Horn Africa's historical encounter with colonialism.
14/ The key theme of these postcards is that they are all from the perspectives of the colonisers.

The narrative has been created and shared by the colonies to suit their agenda, all without the input of those portrayed.

Highlighting why it is important to tell your own story!
15/ If you want to read more about Africa's colonial postcard history, see this lovely piece.

See at the bottom of the page for more colonial postcards. https://www.loc.gov/rr/amed/afs/africana-postcards.html
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