Unveiling the Thiaroye Massacre: A Visual Retelling of Colonial Atrocity
French photographer Yves Monteil documents the Thiaroye massacre, a tragic event where Senegalese soldiers were killed by French troops in 1944 for demanding unpaid wages. His book, “Fecci Worma,” combines images with historical research, revealing conflicts in the official accounts and advocating for acknowledgment of a forgotten history. Monteil’s work not only seeks to honor the fallen soldiers but also challenges the contemporary perceptions of colonial atrocities.
In 2020, French photographer Yves Monteil aimed to illuminate the Thiaroye massacre, an atrocity committed by French colonial troops in 1944. After discovering that this site housed Senegalese soldiers who were killed for demanding unpaid wages, Monteil delved into historical archives to uncover the buried narrative of these soldiers. The massacre occurred on December 1, 1944, when troops opened fire on returning West African soldiers, resulting in a disputed death toll, with estimates ranging from 35 to over 300 fatalities.
Monteil’s prior work focused on policing methods in France, revealing connections between current law enforcement practices and their colonial roots. In tribute to the largely forgotten Senegalese soldiers, he embarked on a photographic journey to document Thiaroye. His book, “Fecci Worma,” meaning “High Treason” in Wolof, was produced after three years of research and travel between France and Senegal, retracing the events surrounding the massacre.
Using infographics and maps, Monteil vividly depicts the historical significance of Thiaroye. He photographed modern views of places like Morlaix, where the soldiers boarded a departing ship, and Thiaroye, their site of demise, creatively aligning these images with the conditions of the past. Furthermore, he includes portraiture of descendants, historians, and artists who are deeply engaged in this historical narrative, as well as the caretaker of the military cemetery at Thiaroye.
Monteil’s research utilized French military archives to recreate the Thiaroye transit camp’s layout, presenting a visual juxtaposition of contemporary and historical geography. His mapping highlights the soldiers’ barracks and the pathway of the French army’s assault, laying bare the obscured history of the massacre.
In one revealing image, Monteil uses infographics to illustrate the conflicting accounts regarding casualty figures over the decades. His research synthesizes various sources, including public archives, newspaper articles, and firsthand testimonies, alongside insights from French historian Armelle Mabon, who has scrutinized the official narratives surrounding the Thiaroye massacre.
Monteil emphasizes that both he and Mabon are dedicated to unveiling the truth about Thiaroye, a task made difficult by the gaps and contradictions within the state’s record. They highlight the persistent obstructions from the French government, a situation underscored by the lack of findings from a parliamentary commission established to investigate the massacre.
Seeking creative control, Monteil opted for crowdfunding to produce his book, thereby maintaining editorial independence, as he believed that mainstream publishing might overlook the significance of the Thiaroye massacre. The endeavor not only seeks to rectify historical omissions but also serves to honor the memory of those who suffered in silence during the colonial era.
Yves Monteil’s project on the Thiaroye massacre reveals the need to address historical injustices and recover lost narratives from France’s colonial past. Through detailed photography, maps, and diverse sources, he strives to honor the memory of Senegalese soldiers while highlighting ongoing issues surrounding state accountability and the preservation of historical truth. This work is an essential step in acknowledging a painful chapter of history that remains largely overlooked.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
