Lexical Metaphors in Minak Pengalun: An Ecolinguistic Study of Karonese Culture and Traditional Medicine

Abstract

This study discusses the lexical metaphors of Karonese traditional medicine, with special attention to their cultural and ecological signification, in the form of minak pengalun  healing oil. A qualitative ecolinguistic approach was utilized in which data were collected by interviewing traditional healers, analysing texts on traditional medicine, and observing healing rituals. The research will make an effort to reveal the forms and functions of these metaphors and explore how they reflect the broader cultural and ecological contexts of the Karonese. Findings have shown that metaphors in plant parts, such as roots, leaves, and fruits, encapsulate both spiritual and ecological dimensions. Roots are dominant as metaphors for stability and ancestral wisdom, showing their foundational role in Karonese medicine and their ecological function in soil stabilization. Leaves are symbolic of vitality and renewal, expressed in their role within energy cycles and protection. Fruits and seeds will stand for growth and sustenance, connected with their ecological role in biodiversity and cultural values of prosperity. Such metaphors will be vehicles for the perpetuation of Karonese traditional knowledge, linking physical healing with spiritual harmony and ecological balance. They emphasize the holistic understanding of health in Karonese, anchored in the interrelationship of humans, culture, and nature. The study concludes that these metaphors are not only crucial for cultural preservation but also for raising ecological awareness, providing an insight into sustainable practices, and the integration of traditional and modern approaches to healthcare.