WHAT’S IN A NAME…..
This category, What’s in a Name…, takes inspiration from Tim Waterman’s article Flows off the Tongue: Charting Climate Change Futures in Ancient Place Names, which explores how indigenous place names-when not erased by colonial conquest can serve as a rich archive of knowledge about landscapes and human interactions with them. These names, often rooted in deep ecological and cultural understanding, provide clues about terrain, water systems, flora, fauna, and climate conditions that have shaped settlements over centuries.
Focusing on the island city of Mumbai, this series delves into its place names to decode the city’s evolving relationship with its environment. Many of these names emerged during the earliest known periods of habitation, carrying embedded knowledge about the natural features that defined the region. By studying them, we can uncover how past inhabitants understood and responded to their surroundings—insights that become particularly relevant in the face of contemporary climate challenges.
The period between 700 and 1000 A.D. serves as an important historical reference point, as it mirrors today’s environmental conditions with episodes of extreme weather, rising sea levels, and fluctuating precipitation patterns. During that time, communities adapted to these challenges, shaping their settlements and practices accordingly. As climate change accelerates, the indigenous names of Mumbai’s landscapes may once again provide meaningful guidance, helping us interpret the city’s vulnerability and resilience in the face of global warming.
By re-examining these place names, this series aims to reconnect with the traditional ecological knowledge embedded within them. It highlights how history, language, and geography intersect, offering insights that can inform modern urban planning, conservation efforts, and climate adaptation strategies. In doing so, What’s in a Name… seeks to restore the relevance of these names as not just relics of the past, but as tools for understanding and navigating the future.
Terrain Tapestry 