The Cities and Their Founders: An Interpretation of the Cities of Western São Paulo

Abstract

From the process of constructing public spaces and their naming, the aim is not to find the roots of our identity but, on the contrary, to highlight the characterizations that continue to influence us to this day. These include historical conditions nearly erased by time, leaving behind tributes perpetuated through proper names. This study will address the toponymy of cities that emerged through the donation of assets. To better understand this trend of seeking roots beyond the traditional positivist history available, this work intends to discuss the toponyms of these communities through the lens of Michel Foucault's genealogy.

Using Toponymy, where the naming of places is, in fact, a political-cultural process deserving of analysis beyond the assigned name, this study reflects on the naming of cities in western São Paulo. These names are perpetuated through the political, ideological, imaginary, and toponymic relations of this historical context.