Catherine Phipps
@katyphipps.bsky.social
Historian of sexuality and colonial power, looking at race/gender/imperialism/sex work in North Africa and more. Based at University of Bristol and Oxford. Always nosy.
The French state trapped Moroccan women in colonial brothels, while their fathers wrote letters begging for their freedom.
Virgins were arrested, women tried to escape… Read more here
Virgins were arrested, women tried to escape… Read more here
November 14, 2025 at 11:50 AM
The French state trapped Moroccan women in colonial brothels, while their fathers wrote letters begging for their freedom.
Virgins were arrested, women tried to escape… Read more here
Virgins were arrested, women tried to escape… Read more here
Love. The lying media will say I’ve been receiving emails about the money I allegedly owe Oxford for two years…
September 1, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Love. The lying media will say I’ve been receiving emails about the money I allegedly owe Oxford for two years…
How is that even possible?!
August 22, 2025 at 9:05 PM
How is that even possible?!
Jesus Christ, this is appalling
August 21, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Jesus Christ, this is appalling
Poires dauphinoises, just like mamma used to make
August 18, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Poires dauphinoises, just like mamma used to make
Abhor the binary
August 18, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Abhor the binary
Doing god’s work
August 14, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Doing god’s work
Orwell's sex life was also affected by his time in colonial brothels...
After spending the night with him, one woman wrote that "he makes love Burma-Sergeant fashion, afterwards saying 'ah that’s better' before he turns over”.
At least it would have been quick for the girls in Marrakechi brothels
After spending the night with him, one woman wrote that "he makes love Burma-Sergeant fashion, afterwards saying 'ah that’s better' before he turns over”.
At least it would have been quick for the girls in Marrakechi brothels
August 10, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Orwell's sex life was also affected by his time in colonial brothels...
After spending the night with him, one woman wrote that "he makes love Burma-Sergeant fashion, afterwards saying 'ah that’s better' before he turns over”.
At least it would have been quick for the girls in Marrakechi brothels
After spending the night with him, one woman wrote that "he makes love Burma-Sergeant fashion, afterwards saying 'ah that’s better' before he turns over”.
At least it would have been quick for the girls in Marrakechi brothels
Orwell boasted about his experiences with Moroccan girls as a taste of exotic Orientalism.
For these girls, it would have been business as usual in the 600 brothels across Marrakech where they were often held against their will and forced to sell sex. Orwell was part of the colonial project...
For these girls, it would have been business as usual in the 600 brothels across Marrakech where they were often held against their will and forced to sell sex. Orwell was part of the colonial project...
August 10, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Orwell boasted about his experiences with Moroccan girls as a taste of exotic Orientalism.
For these girls, it would have been business as usual in the 600 brothels across Marrakech where they were often held against their will and forced to sell sex. Orwell was part of the colonial project...
For these girls, it would have been business as usual in the 600 brothels across Marrakech where they were often held against their will and forced to sell sex. Orwell was part of the colonial project...
"He had seldom tasted such bliss as with certain Moroccan girls, whose complete naturalness and grace and candid sensuality he described in language so simple and direct that one could visualize their slender flanks and small pointed breasts and almost sniff the odour of spices"
wrote Harold Acton.
wrote Harold Acton.
August 10, 2025 at 8:07 AM
"He had seldom tasted such bliss as with certain Moroccan girls, whose complete naturalness and grace and candid sensuality he described in language so simple and direct that one could visualize their slender flanks and small pointed breasts and almost sniff the odour of spices"
wrote Harold Acton.
wrote Harold Acton.
Morocco was known for sex tourism in this period after the French Protectorate introduced Africa's largest and most exploitative red-light district in Casablanca. Every major city had colonial brothels managed by the French state
Two different friends of his note his memories of Moroccan women...
Two different friends of his note his memories of Moroccan women...
August 10, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Morocco was known for sex tourism in this period after the French Protectorate introduced Africa's largest and most exploitative red-light district in Casablanca. Every major city had colonial brothels managed by the French state
Two different friends of his note his memories of Moroccan women...
Two different friends of his note his memories of Moroccan women...
This wasn't Orwell's first time visit colonial brothels.
During his time in Burma, Orwell frequently visited the brothels in Moulmein, where one teacher had set up a brothel with three of her sixth-form students. He also wrote an "ironic" poem about paying a young "virgin" Burmese girl for sex...
During his time in Burma, Orwell frequently visited the brothels in Moulmein, where one teacher had set up a brothel with three of her sixth-form students. He also wrote an "ironic" poem about paying a young "virgin" Burmese girl for sex...
August 10, 2025 at 7:54 AM
This wasn't Orwell's first time visit colonial brothels.
During his time in Burma, Orwell frequently visited the brothels in Moulmein, where one teacher had set up a brothel with three of her sixth-form students. He also wrote an "ironic" poem about paying a young "virgin" Burmese girl for sex...
During his time in Burma, Orwell frequently visited the brothels in Moulmein, where one teacher had set up a brothel with three of her sixth-form students. He also wrote an "ironic" poem about paying a young "virgin" Burmese girl for sex...
The original female rage 😍
August 4, 2025 at 9:50 AM
The original female rage 😍