Methodology
This study combines Field Linguistics and Language Documentation methods. The team conducted field work, together with a local consultant, Mr Benediktus Delpada, to collect original and ‘first-hand’ data, documented plant species (English and Abui plant names and the scientific name). Besides looking at the medicinal properties and cultural relevance (from the perspective of the Abui people), the team also explored local myths and legends connected with the plants.
Thereafter, the team organised the data in a database which is reflected below.
| Please note that all Abui plant names, reported medical usages of plants and any associated legends or myths recorded below are the intellectual property of the Abui people. |
Collection
| English Plant Name | Abui Plant Name | Scientific Name | Etymological Reconstruction | Verification Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A small type of wild seeded banana | rahatai | TBC | TBC |
Awaiting |
| A type of wild seeded banana | Kabuok | TBC | TBC |
Awaiting |
| Almond | Heeng | Prunus dulcis | TBC |
Tentative |
| Areca nut | Fu | Areca catechu | TBC |
Verified |
| Bamboo | Maai | Bambusoideae | TBC |
Tentative |
| Banana | Balei | Musa | *mogol |
Tentative |
| Banyan tree | Tapoq | Ficus benghalensis | TBC |
Tentative |
| Bayooqa | Bayooqa | TBC | TBC |
Awaiting |
| Betel nut | Meeting | Areca catechu | *mait |
Verified |
| Canary | Kanaai | Phalaris canariensis | TBC |
Tentative |
| Candlenut | Fiyaai | Aleurites moluccanus | TBC |
Tentative |
| Cassava | Bataaqo | Manihot esculenta | TBC |
Tentative |
| Coconut | Wata | Cocos nucifera | TBC |
Verified |
| Corn | Faat | Zea mays | TBC |
Verified |
| Cucumber | Ku | Cucumis sativus | TBC |
Tentative |
| Cussambium | Kalang | Schleichera oleosa | TBC |
Tentative |
| Drumstick tree | Matoling | Moringa oleifera | TBC |
Tentative |
| Eucalyptus | Pooqdai | Eucalyptus globulus | TBC |
Tentative |
| Eucalyptus | Kawaaqa | Eucalyptus globulus | TBC |
Tentative |
| Fig tree | Nabu | Ficus carica | TBC |
Tentative |
| Goat Weed | Alang | Ageratum conyzoides | TBC |
Tentative |
| Gonystylus bancanus | Raai | Gonystylus bancanus | TBC |
Tentative |
| Jackfruit | Soong | Artocarpus heterophyllus | TBC |
Tentative |
| K.O. tuber | Muwok | TBC | TBC |
Verified |
| Kala | Kala | TBC | TBC |
Awaiting |
| Ko tuber | Ko sii | TBC | TBC |
Tentative |
| Lantana | Kaarfaai hateebaq | TBC | TBC |
Awaiting |
| Long bean | Taqooi | Vigna unguiculata ssp. sesquipedalis | TBC |
Tentative |
| Long pepper retrofractum | Luul meeting | Piper retrofractum | TBC |
Tentative |
| Mango | Mea | Mangifera indica | TBC |
Tentative |
| Millet | Kaala | Panicum miliaceum | TBC |
Tentative |
| Mushroom | Walik | Agaricus bisporus | TBC |
Tentative |
| Nitas tree | Booi | TBC | TBC |
Tentative |
| Palm | Nai | Arecaceae | TBC |
Tentative |
| Papaya | Bataamaal | Carica papaya | TBC |
Tentative |
| Pepper | Luukaai | Capsicum | TBC |
Tentative |
| Pigeon pea | Naai | Cajanus cajan | TBC |
Verified |
| Pumpkin | Adet | Cucurbita | TBC |
Tentative |
| Rattan | Tibuul | Calamus deerratus | TBC |
Tentative |
| Rice | Siyeng | Oryza sativa | TBC |
Tentative |
| River tamarind | Lantoora | Leucaena leucocephala | TBC |
Tentative |
| Small bamboo | Keela | Bambusoideae | TBC |
Tentative |
| Soybean | Tadaa | Glycine max | TBC |
Awaiting |
| Stump of k.o. tropical liana plant | Biel Tuku | None | TBC |
Awaiting |
| Sugar palm | Tuoq | Arenga pinnata | TBC |
Tentative |
| Sweet potato | Balee | Ipomoea batatas | TBC |
Tentative |
| Tamarind | Tamal | Tamarindus indica | TBC |
Tentative |
| TBC | Dieng kaleela | TBC | TBC |
Awaiting |
| TBC | Tuli | TBC | TBC |
Awaiting |
| TBC | Afuui | TBC | TBC |
Awaiting |
| TBC | Siimang tapooimang | TBC | TBC |
Awaiting |
| Turmeric | Kariri | Curcuma longa | TBC |
Tentative |
| Wild fig tree | Malika | Ficus | TBC |
Tentative |