What if we renamed the mountain Swastika? This is the question raised by Joy McClain, an 81-year-old woman who lives in Eugene, Oregon, 80 km away. The octogenarian intends to change this name which found this name “crazy”, when she discovered its existence.
In English, the word “swastika” is used both to refer to the symbol itself and to qualify the Nazi swastika, erected as the standard of Hitler’s Germany between 1933 and 1945, which explains all the more the reactions associated with this designation. Very isolated, the Swastika mountain remains little known to the general public and not very accessible.
A mountain baptized long before Nazism
This mountain’s name actually dates back to the early 1900s. of this symbol,” Kerry Tymchuk, executive director of the Oregon Historical Society, told CNN.
He also explains that the choice of the farmer at the time was linked to the origin of this symbol, far removed from Nazism: “He used it because this Sanskrit symbol means good luck Where welfare. Indeed, before being diverted from its original meaning, the swastika was first and foremost a religious sign in Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism.
Two name suggestions
Reckless, Joy McClain proposed to the Board of Geographic Names of Oregon to rename the mountain “Umpqua”, in line with the nearest river, and the name of the national park in which it is located.
Another proposal suggested naming it “Mount Halo”, in honor of Chief Halo of the Kalapuya tribe in nearby Yoncalla who died in 1892. Joy McClain agreed with this idea and withdrew her proposal which now seems to unanimity. The names we give to geographic features must reflect both our history and our values,” said Kerry Tymchuk.
However, the name change may not come into effect before the end of the year, due to the laws governing such changes.
