Peter Altenberg's Ashantee in the Context of Spatial Theming and the Aesthetics of Ethnography

Abstract: This article examines Peter Altenberg's collection of thirty-eight semiautobiographical sketches Ashantee (1897) through the lens of spatial theming and the aesthetics of ethnography. This essay explores how Altenberg constructs an exoticized and eroticized representation of the West African (Ghana) Ashanti people and culture through encounters with specifically staged ethnographical shows as part of nineteenth-century zoological exhibits. Influenced by the commercial entertainment technology of theming, contemporary ethnographic practices, and colonial perspectives prevalent during his time, these Völkerschauen highlight the complexities of cultural representation and the perpetuation of stereotypes, urging readers to engage with literary texts from a decolonial perspective. Ultimately, this study seeks to enrich discussions on the aesthetics of ethnography in literary works and encourage a reevaluation of cultural representation and its impact on shaping historical narratives.