Didier Daenincks Cannibale Résumé

Summary

In *Cannibales* by Didier T. Mx, the narrative follows a Kanak man recounting his harrowing experience as part of a group of indigenous people sent from New Caledonia to France for the 1931 colonial exhibitions. Treated as spectacles, they are displayed in a zoo in Paris, leading to rebellion and desperate escape attempts. The men eventually discover their companions were sent to work in a circus in Germany. Amidst hardships and police pursuit, their journey reveals the brutal exploitation of indigenous people during colonial exhibitions. The story reflects on themes of racial injustice, colonialism, and survival.

Takeaways

• 😀 The story begins in Kanaky, New Caledonia, where Kanak tribesmen and a Western friend are stopped at a checkpoint by an armed rebel soldier.
• 😀 The elder Kanak man recalls an event from his youth when he was part of a group of men sent to France for a colonial exhibition in 1931.
• 😀 The Kanak men are transported to Paris under horrific conditions and placed in a recreated Kanak village in the Vincennes zoo to be displayed as 'savages.'
• 😀 During the zoo's colonial exhibition, a French politician and various visitors witness the Kanak men, and the event is marked by racism and exploitation.
• 😀 Some Kanak men are taken away under the pretense of visiting Paris, but one of them, Minots, tries to resist and is subdued by the gendarmes.
• 😀 The main character, Gosset, and his friend Badie try to find Minots in the chaotic, unfamiliar environment of Paris, even taking refuge in the subway.
• 😀 They eventually learn that the Kanak men were sent to work in a circus in Frankfurt, and they try to trace their whereabouts while avoiding the police.
• 😀 At the zoo, three young activists protest against the racism and colonialism displayed in the zoo, calling for an end to such exhibitions of human beings.
• 😀 Gosset and Badie discover that the Kanak men were exchanged for crocodiles that were dying due to disease in the zoo, further exposing the exploitation of these individuals.
• 😀 In the end, Gosset and Badie are captured and imprisoned, but they are saved by a humble man, though the story concludes with unanswered questions about Minots' fate.

Q & A

What is the main setting of the story in the script?

The main setting of the story takes place in Kanaky, New Caledonia, and later in Paris, France, during the early 1930s. It revolves around the experiences of the Kanak people in the context of colonial exploitation.

Who are the main characters introduced in the script?

The main characters are an unnamed Kanak elder (referred to as 'Gosset'), his younger companion, and their interaction with the Western protagonist (referred to as 'Badie') who accompanies them during their journey.

What is the significance of the 'exposition coloniale' in the story?

The 'exposition coloniale' refers to the colonial exhibition in Paris in 1931, where Kanak people were displayed as 'wild savages' for the entertainment of the French public, illustrating the dehumanizing effects of colonialism.

What happens to the Kanak men after they arrive in Paris?

Upon their arrival in Paris, the Kanak men are treated as exhibits at the zoo in Vincennes, where a mock village is set up to showcase their lifestyle. They are placed on display as part of the colonial spectacle.

What event leads to the Kanak men trying to escape Paris?

The Kanak men try to escape after some of them are separated from the group under the pretense of visiting the capital. One of them, Minots, becomes agitated and is forcibly subdued by the police, prompting the others to seek freedom.

How do the Kanak men attempt to find Minots after his separation?

The characters Gosset and Badie attempt to find Minots by traveling through Paris, seeking refuge in a café and later in a subway station. They eventually track down where the Kanak people are being sent: to a circus in Frankfurt, Germany.

What role does the zoo in Vincennes play in the plot?

The zoo in Vincennes plays a significant role as the location where the Kanak people are held as exhibits. It also becomes the setting for a pivotal confrontation between Gosset, Badie, and the zoo director, who reveals the exchange of indigenous people for crocodiles.

What is the significance of the 'cirque Offner' in the story?

The 'cirque Offner' in Frankfurt is the destination where the Kanak people are being sent to work after being exploited and mistreated in Paris. The circus symbolizes the continued exploitation and objectification of the Kanak people under colonialism.

How does the narrative comment on colonial racism and exploitation?

The narrative critiques colonialism by showing the Kanak people's dehumanization, both as part of a public spectacle in Paris and as forced laborers in Frankfurt. The actions of characters like Gosset, Badie, and the protestors in the zoo reflect the ongoing resistance to colonial racism.

What is the emotional impact of the story's ending?

The ending is bittersweet, as it reveals how colonialism has deeply impacted the lives of the Kanak people, with one character, Francis Carrosse, returning to New Caledonia many years later, seeking closure after the death of his wife. The script ends on a somber note, highlighting the lasting trauma of colonial experiences.