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 language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 293-332 |
| Journal | Ethnobotony Research and Applications |
| Volume | 7 |
| Publication status | Published - 2009 |