Banana (Musa spp.) Domestication in the Asia-Pacific Region: Linguistic and archaeobotanical perspectives

Mark Donohue, Tim Denham

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

    Abstract

    An examination of linguistic terms for 'banana' within Island Southeast Asia and Melanesia sheds light on the history of Musa spp. domestication. Linguistic investigations suggest a westward dispersal of banana from New Guinea, mixing with a Philippine variety (or at least sphere of cultural usage), then westward again to mainland South-east Asia, and (as far as can be linguistically inferred) onward to the western edge of South Asia. The linguistically-derived interpretation accords generally with the archaeo-botanical evidence and botanical models for the dispersal of banana cultivars.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)293-332
    JournalEthnobotony Research and Applications
    Volume7
    Publication statusPublished - 2009

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