Troepen van Frederick Roberts juichen bij de Britse inname van Pretoria op 5 juni 1900 1901

This stereoscopic image, taken anonymously on June 5th, 1900, captures British troops celebrating their capture of Pretoria during the Second Boer War. This photograph is not just a record of a military victory, but a window into the complex dynamics of imperialism, race, and power. The jubilant troops represent the British Empire at its height, an empire built on the subjugation and exploitation of others. Note the Black figures in the foreground, their presence hinting at the racial hierarchies that underpinned colonial rule. How did they experience this moment of colonial triumph? The celebratory mood contrasts sharply with the experiences of the Boer population and the indigenous African communities, whose lives were upended by the conflict. The image invites us to consider whose perspectives are included and excluded in historical narratives. It serves as a reminder of the human cost of empire and the importance of critically examining historical representations.