Ethnobotany of Pohnpei

Ethnobotany of Pohnpei

Plants, People, and Island Culture

Edited by: Michael J. Balick

University of Hawaii Press | 2009

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9780824837495

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Contents

About this book

Ethnobotany of Pohnpei examines the relationship between plants, people, and traditional culture on Pohnpei, one of the four island members of the Federated States of Micronesia. Traditional culture is still very strong on Pohnpei and is biodiversity-dependent, relying on both its pristine habitats and managed landscapes; native and introduced plants and animals; and extraordinary marine life. This book is the result of a decade of research by a team of local people and international specialists carried out under the direction of the Mwoalen Wahu Ileilehn Pohnpei (Pohnpei Council of Traditional Leaders). It discusses the uses of the native and introduced plant species that have sustained human life on the island and its outlying atolls for generations, including Piper methysticum (locally known as sakau and recognized throughout the Pacific as kava), which is essential in defining cultural identity for Pohnpeians. The work also focuses on ethnomedicine, the traditional medical system used to address health conditions, and its associated beliefs.

Pohnpei, and indeed the Micronesian region, is one of the world’s great centers of botanical endemism: it is home to many plant species found nowhere else on earth. The ultimate goal of this volume is to give readers a sense of the traditional ethnobotanical knowledge that still exists in the area, to make them aware of its vulnerability to modernization, and to encourage local people to respect this ancient knowledge and keep such practices alive. It presents the findings of the most comprehensive ethnobotanical study undertaken to date in this part of Micronesia and sets a new standard for transdisciplinary research and collaboration.

Frontmatter Free access PDF PDF	i
Contents Free access PDF PDF	vii
Preface Michael J. Balick Free access PDF PDF	ix
Primary Collectors Free access PDF PDF	xiii
Chapter One: Plants and People of Pohnpei: An Overview Michael J. Balick, David H. Lorence, Dana Lee Ling and Wayne Law Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	1
Chapter Two: Yams and their Traditional Cultivation on Pohnpei Bill Raynor, Adelino Lorens and Jackson Phillip Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	40
Chapter Three: Breadfruit and its Traditional Cultivation and Use on Pohnpei Diane Ragone and Bill Raynor Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	63
Chapter Four: Banana: An Essential Traditional Crop on Pohnpei Lois Englberger, Adelino Lorens, Amy Levendusky and Jeff Daniells Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	89
Chapter Five: Taro: An Important Pohnpei Staple Food Lois Englberger, Kiped Albert, Adelino Lorens and Amy Levendusky Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	132
Chapter Six: The Sacred Root: Sakau en Pohnpei Michael J. Balick and Roberta A. Lee Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	165
Chapter Seven: Traditional Medicine, Pohnpei, and its Integration Roberta A. Lee Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	204
Chapter Eight: Local Uses of Plants and Fungi on Pohnpei: An Ethnobotanical Compendium Elipiana Albert, Alfred Dores, Ben Ekiek, Primo Emos Eperiam, Robert Gallen, Mark Kostka, Relio Lengsi, Ally Raynor, Pelihter Raynor, Valentine Santiago, Francisca F. Sohl, Francisco Sohl, Mayorico Victor and Michael J. Balick Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	217
Chapter Nine: Checklist of the Vascular Plants of Pohnpei David H. Lorence and Timothy Flynn Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	524
Index Access restricted Content is available PDF PDF	567

Ethnobotany of Pohnpei

Plants, People, and Island Culture

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