Dear ancestor ..how come you sitting like that?

Image taken from The National Archives UK (CO 1069-355-4)

Dear ancestor,

How come you sitting like that with knees crossed, hands folded in your lap.. like , like well a woman?

Though the adult women in the image are  seated square, feet wide apart.



 Original image

CO 1069-355-4



Dear ancestor... What is your name? Did the photographer write your name down? Did you get money from him? Did  the photographer ask you to sit like that? Or did you choose to sit like that feeling comfortable sitting in a way different from the man in the next frame from you with his hands wider apart on his thighs?



Did you choose to sit like that on the stool, arms on your lap so that those who see the picture would imagine that the immigrant men sat differently? Did you love differently as you sat differently? Why did you look away from the camera?

 Did anyone ever tell you to not sit like that? Did you do things which men did not do? Did you care? Did you know about Mohangoo and Nabibux , or other men who might have done what they were punished for? What lessons would you share with your descendants who might want to sit like you?


Did you know that your image was going to be used by the oppressors to show that Empire was successful?  Did you choose the caption "East Indian Immigrants. An indentured Coolie immigrant after a short residence in the Colony; the beads and coins around his neck are gold, and are the result of his savings." ?  Would you have agreed to the caption if it was not yours?

Wear did the gold come from to make the beads and coins?  Did you go back to India?

Did you come back to Guyana?

Your descendant




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