Banania Man: Offensive?

Is this image offensive to you? His name is "lil" Banania man.

Banania man is a Senegalese “tirailleur,” an honorable rifleman who fought for France during the first and second World War. His image has been traditionally used to sell a delicious drink made from banana flour, ground cereal, cacao and sugar. As a stereotype, he is always happy and speaks
rather incorrect French; this is represented by the ever present phrase underneath his picture: Y a bon. (This cereal is good…).

For a while, Banania man disappeared from modern advertising. He was replaced with a cartoon image. Nevertheless, you could still find him on posters in souvenir shops. Two years ago, a French company named Nutrimaine decided to bring back this beloved black icon. But he had evolved from his first more realistic renderings. He reappeared a bit younger with large red lips and strikingly white teeth.
The image above is the original Banania man, which first appeared in 1915   

The Atillean community became outraged and one group, Collectif DOM immediately tried to put an end to the advertisements. It recently reached an agreement with the company; the company will refrain from using the “Y a bon” phrase in its advertisements. This is a rather strange agreement, since the company did not use the “y a bon” in its advertisements in the first place….

So what do you think? Do you think Mr. Y a bon and the little Y a bon are offensive?

                                                                                              

                                                                            

Comments

[Les]

Black Girl in Paris, I think Banania man is rather positive in both perspectives. Given that he evolved from a soldier in the earlier rendition, he was depicted as strong, handsome and approachable.

Decades later, he appears as a youthful chocolate-colored boy for the new chocolate thrust of the product.

It looks all good to me, Sista.

http://leslester.blogspot.com

[Naro%]

I know the whole deal on the "French" mascot joint its soo ironic that colonial powers like france, the US, even mexico find it fitting to defame black culture. I remember my time in the 7th and noticing the "cute" little characters that adorned the magazines, billboards, and even TV. Its a mindset which establishes a presidence, which leads to the continual rationalisation of this kind of imagery. The struggle is world wide... Quick question have there been any references in Paris to black history month?
Peace,
NARO%
19 Rue De L'Exposition (circa 84-85)

[princessdominique]

Maybe I'm sensitive but the big red lips rub me the wrong way. I love your blog though, very much.

[ptinfrance]

i cannot stand the whole banania brand. the french have removed most of the more offensive pictorial versions but even the name bugs me. a lot of the remnants of old colonial (racist) france remain but many people have seen it so much and for so long, there's simply a desensitization to it. (though it is STILL offensive) and people think you should just calm down if you bring up the subject. that is never going to change an intolerant attitude. in paris, just go into the cafe "comptoir du relais" (in the 6th) and look on the walls. http://www.whytraveltofrance.com/?p=5

[Kiratiana]

Thanks so much for telling about the comptoir relais cafe...You know that you can still find postcards and other memorabilia with Banania man EVERYWHERE. THis is a bit disgusting..Thanks for the comment.

[Kye]

I recently came from France after spending 7 mos there as a teacher. I would frequently notice the ads and other ones such as "Negrita" rum. Or even the "Tete de Negre" pastry at my corner boulangerie. I just took things like that in stride and I tried not to let it change my opinion of the people because over all they were truly great. I also noticed that my students ranging from 15 to 22 loved to read comic books and many of the comic images of black was SO derogatory that I was truly offended. Especially because the comic book section seemed like the largest section in our CDI, or library at the lycee.
Kye

[delion@BrownUnv]

Looks like Aunt Jemima's son to me...I can't help but see the minstrel in this image

[Mieczyslaw]

It is glad to a meeting!
;)

[Steven]

Very interesting site.
;)

[Richard]

Cool website! ;) Best regards and nice day!
;)

[Ewa]

Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
;)

[Lawrence]

Perfect site, i like it!
;)

[Irene]

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[Mae]

I collect Banania man items. I don't find them offensive though. Is there an offensive element in France though about it? Funny thing is I have never had Banania. Is it good? Can you send me some? :) I love your blog and right now I am reading a book called Paris Noir.