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1900s: The amazing story of the woman they called ‘the ape woman’
Julia Pastrana: The Tragic Story of the Victorian Ape Woman
What you need to know before your trail
In a dusty corner of the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Norway lie the remains of Julia Pastrana, half hidden in a black plastic sack, all but forgotten. Yet in the middle of the 19th century, this “ape woman” was renowned, visited by scientists of international repute, and drawing the populace of three continents to the freakshows in which she starred. Just 4ft 6in tall, she was covered in hair, with a protruding jaw; but she also spoke several languages, married, had a child, made money.
Now returned to rest in peace in Mexico, this is the remarkable story of a remarkable woman.
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Mexico -Sinaloa de Leyva
A woman gives birth in the mountains of Mexico and utters the word Naualli. Mexico’s Indians have had myths about naualli, evil supernatural beings since the Aztec era in the 16th century. The Aztec word for wizard was Nuahualli and the idea of the bloodthirsty Mexican werewolf grew from that.
Julia’s life started strange and from that moment she was catapulted in a world which didn’t like her and a world which would never accept her. She was plaed in a freak show and put in display for all to look at. She traveled around America, and Russia in freak shows. Even in death she could not rest – and was first of all taken to Oslo where the remains of her child were destroyed by thieves. She was eventually taken back to her home of Mexico and buried properly so that she might finally rest in peace.
Booktrail Boarding Pass Information: Julia Pastrana: The Tragic Story of the Victorian Ape Woman
Author/Guide: Christopher Hals Gylseth Destination: Sinaloa de Leyva, Oslo Departure Time: 1800s
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