Dockside reading: Hydrocolonialism and the Custom House.

The article titled "Dockside reading: Hydrocolonialism and the Custom House" by Isabel Hofmeyr explores the historical significance of the customs office in Durban as a site of imperial control and governance. The author examines the role of customs officials in regulating the import and export of goods, including books and periodicals, and how they evaluated and censored ideas based on copyright legislation. The article also delves into the concept of hydrocolonialism, highlighting the symbolic importance of water in the transfer of slaves and the formation of creolized societies. Overall, the article provides insights into the customs office as a space of scrutiny and control, shedding light on the broader themes of administration, governance, and postcolonial literature. [Extracted from the article]