Jakri Baby Girl, Burutu, Southern Nigeria

Silver gelatin postcard, "Copyright, Moyea Series", ca. 1912-1914. No. 167 in series. Titled "Jakri Baby Girl, Burutu, Southern Nigeria". Image shows a baby Itsekiri girl wearing traditional dress and Gele (headscarf). Postcard sent from William John Robertts (from Plymouth, Devon) to his sister Victoria in Liverpoool. Original caption on verso reads: "The Jakris are superior in appearance to any of the various races of Nigeria, due doubtless to their long contact with European civilisation. The effects of civilisation is very noticeable in the features of the children". Such racist captions were common on ethnographic postcards dating from this period, which were produced for the European tourist and expat markets. The language used is today considered outdated and offensive. From the collection of William John Roberts, Liverpool-born merchant for The Lagos Stores, Ltd. Based in Nigeria, 1912-1914.