daka

Ross (1992:374) notes that this could be from either Kuanua daka or Ramoaaina daaka.

Two species of daka are chewed with betel nut in PNG: Piper betle, grown in the lower altitudes, and Piper gibbilimbum, grown in the highlands.

P. betle is a major export from the Bush Mekeo area of Central Province where the vine is planted in gardens and in special plots, on sturdy posts.

Piper aduncum, or diwai daka, a shrub indigenous to tropical America introduced to Papua New Guinea in the 1930s, was first observed botanically at Finschhafen. P. aduncum has invaded aggressively in the lowlands of Morobe, Madang, East Sepik and parts of Central Provinces where it forms locally monospecific stands. Opinions vary over its usefulness. Its invasion of secondary forests can be degenerative, but villagers favour P. aduncum over grasses on short fallows because it can be easily cut, can be used as firewood and it is said to improve soil fertility and drainage. Further refs: Kidd (1997), Rogers and Hartemink (2000), Harteminck (2002).

See original Mihalic entry.

Noun forms

1. Botany: the special catkin, or ‘mustard’, of Piper betle or Piper gibbilimbum, chewed with betel nut and lime ® buai, kambang, mastet

2. Botany: probably alkaline leaves chewed with betelnut as a substitute for the combination of betel peppers and lime when none is available

3. Botany: the leaves of any shrubs used decoratively

Noun combination forms

4. Trees: diwai daka Piper aduncum, exotic shrub now widespread in the lowlands of Morobe, Madang, East Sepik and parts of Central Provinces.

5. Botany: rop daka leaves from a vine used as betel peppers.

6. Culture: smel daka fragrant leaves worn in armbands for dancing.
   ol wanpisin putim smel daka na singsing the clansmen wore fragrant leaves and danced

7. Botany: stik daka twig type used as betel pepper

8. Botany: bun daka alternate for stik daka

© Revising the Mihalic Project, 26 Jan 2005 [Home]