Waves across the Archipelago: The Austronesian Influence on Culture and Global Connections in Southeast Asia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54536/jgesd.v2i1.4809Keywords:
Austronesian Migration, Cultural Diffusion, Early Globalization, Southeast Asia, Trade NetworksAbstract
The study explores earlier stages of Austronesian migration and trans-Asiatic contact, emphasizing their historical influence on globalization and cultural diffusion in Southeast Asia. Despite previous studies examining the spread of Austronesian languages and genetic lineage, understanding how this migration facilitated early trade networks and intercultural cooperation remains incomplete. This, in turn, shaped the region’s early stages of globalization. This study aims to uncover the impact and legacy of Austronesian migration on cultural and societal diversity and explore the contribution of early trade networks to the economic framework of Southeast Asia. The research employs an interdisciplinary approach, examining primary archaeological sources and secondary scholarly works on linguistic, genetic, and ethnographic data to gain a comprehensive understanding of Austronesian influence. Significant findings underscore that Austronesian-speaking people altered local language and culture and advanced trading networks connecting Southeast Asia with other regions. The result highlights the remarkable impact of migration in fostering the early stages of globalization and cultural dissemination. The essence of past migration, along with the exchange, shapes the cultural identities and economic approaches of contemporary Southeast Asia.
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