Former name of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1971-1997); also the former currency of that country.
From Portuguese 'Zaire,' derived from Kikongo 'nzere' or 'nzadi' meaning 'river.' The name was chosen by Mobutu Sese Seko to replace the colonial name 'Congo' with something more authentically African.
Zaire represents a fascinating attempt at linguistic decolonization - Mobutu's effort to reclaim African identity by replacing the colonial name 'Congo' with a word derived from local languages. The name lasted only 26 years, showing how political naming can be both powerful and fragile.
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