Visual Retelling of Thiaroye Massacre Highlights French Colonial Atrocity
Yves Monteil’s visual retelling of the Thiaroye massacre reveals the story of Senegalese soldiers shot by French troops in 1944 while demanding unpaid wages. His book, “Fecci Worma,” uses photographs and infographics to examine the historical narrative surrounding the event. Monteil collaborates with historians to expose gaps in official accounts, aiming to uncover the truth and honor the memory of those who suffered.
Twenty years ago, French photographer Yves Monteil encountered a military cemetery in Thiaroye, Senegal, where Senegalese soldiers were buried after being massacred by the French army in 1944. They were killed while peacefully demanding unpaid wages upon their return from fighting in World War II. Monteil found this story captivating and began researching it extensively in 2020, utilizing archives to explore the truth behind the massacre.
On December 1, 1944, French colonial troops opened fire on the tirailleurs sénégalais, who had been assured their compensation would equal that of French soldiers. The initial death toll reported by official French accounts was 35, while other estimates indicate more than 300 soldiers lost their lives during this horrific event. Monteil, having previously scrutinized policing methods in France, noticed connections between modern law enforcement and colonial practices, leading him to document Thiaroye through photography.
Monteil’s work culminated in the book “Fecci Worma,” which translates to “High Treason” in the native Wolof language. Over three years, he traveled to key sites in France and Senegal, retracing the soldiers’ journey and capturing the atmosphere of these locations through his lens. He also engaged with the descendants of the soldiers and documented various historians and artists who have investigated the massacre to create a comprehensive narrative.
In addition to photographs, Monteil incorporated infographics and maps to elucidate complex historical facts. He utilized French military archives to reconstruct the layout of the Thiaroye transit camp and employed contemporary aerial imagery to reveal changes to the landscape over time. These visualizations aim not only to illuminate the past but also support archaeological excavations planned by the Senegalese government.
Monteil’s research, supported by diverse sources such as public archives, newspaper articles, and testimonies from historians, holds the potential to address discrepancies in the accounts of the massacre. He credits French historian Armelle Mabon for guiding him through her archives, which unveil critical omissions in the historical narrative presented by the French state. Together, they pursue a mission to uncover the truth surrounding Thiaroye, emphasizing the gaps that still exist in the official accounts 80 years later.
Frustration persists regarding the lack of findings from a French parliamentary commission established to investigate the massacre. Monteil opted for crowdfunding to finance his book project, thereby ensuring editorial independence from traditional publishing houses. He noted, “The Thiaroye massacre would not have interested many publishers,” highlighting the need for continual advocacy for this once-hidden history.
The visual retelling of the Thiaroye massacre by Yves Monteil seeks to honor the memory of Senegalese soldiers and shed light on a dark chapter in French colonial history. Through extensive research and striking imagery, the project emphasizes the discrepancies in the historical accounts of the massacre. The work is both a tribute and a call to action, highlighting ongoing challenges in acknowledging and addressing colonial legacies.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
