Chicotte

The ‘chicotte’ was a type of whip made of twisted hippopotamus hide and developed by the Portuguese slave traders in the 18th century. This example has two twisted strips and a pierced handle.

Whips were used, like guns, to prevent people from resisting their captivity. Slave-ship crew were encouraged to use them as instruments of torture and punishment.

Object Details

ID: ZBA2485
Collection: Special collections
Type: Whip
Display location: Display - Atlantic Gallery
Creator: Unknown
Date made: 19th century
Exhibition: The Atlantic: Slavery, Trade, Empire; Enslavement and Resistance
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Michael Graham-Stewart Slavery Collection. Acquired with the assistance of the Heritage Lottery Fund
Measurements: Overall: 20 mm x 35 mm x 905 mm