Zaire etymology

Etymology

The name "Zaire" comes from the Portuguese word "zaire," which is a corruption of the local Bantu word "nzere," meaning "river."

Meaning

• Literal meaning: River
• Figurative meaning: The country is known as the "Heart of Africa" due to its location in central Africa and its vast river system.

Origin

The word "nzere" was first recorded by Portuguese explorers in the 15th century. They applied it to the river that now forms the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) and Angola.

In 1971, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was renamed Zaire by its then-president, Mobutu Sese Seko. He chose the name to symbolize the country's geographical and cultural significance as the "River Country" of Africa.

Current usage

The name "Zaire" was officially dropped in 1997, when the country reverted to its former name, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, the name "Zaire" is still sometimes used colloquially to refer to the country or its river system.

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