Sarah Baartman was a South African woman born in 1789, known for her physical features, particularly her large buttocks. She was taken to Europe in the early 19th century and exhibited as a curiosity in freak shows, where she was often referred to as the "Hottentot Venus." Her treatment highlighted the exploitation of African individuals during colonial times. After her death in 1815, her remains were displayed in a museum in France until they were repatriated to South Africa in 2002. Baartman's story has become a symbol of the racism and objectification faced by many individuals of African descent throughout history.