Explore Black History

1920-1940

The colonial postcard, popular in the first two decades of the 20th century, came to represent both the technological triumphs of western photography – in printing and mass production – and the political triumphs of European conquest and expansion. These postcards also promoted tourism to the French Caribbean, painting the region as a safe, favorable, and exotic travel destination.
The title of this French colonial postcard “MARTINIQUE- Yon ti ma coumè zébage” exemplifies the standard naming structure that categorized “exotic” native subjects in the form of ethnic and occupational “types.” In the original caption, “ma coumè” translates to someone who is a good friend or someone you have a good relationship with. In this case, the young girl holding a basket with leafy greens, who is a vendor so a good translation may be “A sweet little greens vendor.”. Presenting the image subjects in this way conveyed the perception of them as “tame” colonial subjects capable of assimilation into European ways of life.
The leaves in the basket are likely zébage, or different types of leafy vegetables, commonly used to make callaloo. Callaloo, also spelled calalou, can take many forms across the island of Martinique and the Caribbean. Documented since the 19th century, this dish is a staple to the development of Martiniquan identity and cuisine. Similar to the madras cloth, the dish, influenced by African, Indian, and Creole dishes, is reflective of the cultural commercial links between the West and East Indies.

A photographic postcard of an unidentified girl from Martinique in a white dress, dark boots, a madras headscarf, and a large pendant on a chain around her neck. She is a greens vendor and is holding a wicker basket filled with leaves over her left arm. She is standing inside a room with an ornamental carpet. There is a white border on the horizontal edges of the image and on left printed [306 - MARTINIQUE - Yon ti ma coumè zébage]. The back of the postcard is blank except for two handwritten notes on the bottom upside down, [2806] and [Martiniq]. In the center, printed vertically, [Collection Benoit-Jeannette -- Reprod. interdite]. On the right of the card, there are four horizontal lines.

French Colonial postcard from Martinique

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Memorabilia and Ephemera - Other
Photographs and Still Images

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2016.151.7

postcards

Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper, with ink on paper

H x W: 5 1/2 × 3 1/2 in. (14 × 8.9 cm)

Title • 306 - MARTINIQUE - Yon ti ma coumè zébage

nmaahc_2016.151.7

NMAAHC

306 - MARTINIQUE - YON TI MA COUMÈ ZÉBAGE

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

1920s • 1940s

Chennai • Asia • North and Central America • Europe • Martinique • Tamil Nadu • Caribbean • France • Latin America • Madras • India

African diaspora • Photography • Description and travel • Colonies • Clothing and dress • Fashion • French colonialism • Correspondence • Freedom • Gender issues • Group identity

African Americans • Africans

State • Martinique • Subregion • Caribbean • Region • Latin America • Continent • North and Central America • Country • France • Continent • Europe • Locale • Madras • City • Chennai • State • Tamil Nadu • Country • India • Continent • Asia

Images

No Known Copyright Restrictions