A Tale of Two Brazzas: Intertwining (Post-)Colonial Namescapes

Liora Bigon, Michel Ben Arrous

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

This article brings together and analyzes two toponyms: Brazzaville Street in Holon, Israel, and Quay of Brazza in Bordeaux, France. In the light of historical and contemporary developments at different points of time, geographies and socio-political contexts, the crisscrossing between both Brazza-related toponyms is useful in promoting a critical and more nuanced interpretation of space and nomenclature. In exploring the varied flows of power, ambiguities and tensions behind the two place names, and in bringing the Congo to the fore, the article also relates to geographies beyond Europe. This aspect of spatial intertwining contributes to the de-Eurocentrization of recent place names studies, which tend to be focused on Europe/the West and on nationalistic aspects. In addition, a variety of primary and secondary materials is employed, including visual and archival sources, and fieldwork.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)40-53
Number of pages14
JournalNames
Volume67
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2 Jan 2019
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • (post-)colonial history
  • Bordeaux/France
  • Brazza
  • Brazzaville
  • Congo
  • Holon/Israel
  • interconnected geographies
  • street signage
  • toponymic studies

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