SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY | FIRST SEMESTER
INDIGENOUS SCIENCE IN THE PHILIPPINES
INDIGENOUS SCIENCE
Definition and Scope
- Indigenous science can be defined as a
complex network of knowledge, skills, and
philosophies about the natural world that
have been developed by indigenous
populations over thousands of years.
- Embodies a deeply empirical and
observational approach to understanding
the world.
Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)
- Underlines its roots in long-standing
practices that are both cultural and
scientific.
- Comprised of
- Cultural practices
- Spiritual beliefs
- Social obligations
Scope
- Vast and multi-disciplinary
- Ifugao
- Sustainable agricultural practices
- Terracing methods optimize crop
yields and contribute to preventing
soil erosion
- Other tribes
- Repository of medicinal knowledge
- Identifying various plant species with
healing properties that have
influenced modern pharmacology
- Resource management
- Traditional fishing methods is based
on a comprehensive understanding
of local marine ecosystems
- Social sciences
- Indigenous governance systems and
community laws emphasize
collective well-being and equitable
resource distribution
- Indigenous cosmologies
- Incorporates philosophical
viewpoints into daily practices and
ceremonies
INTRICACIES OF INDIGENOUS SCIENCE
- Intricacies lie in its deeply localized,
community-oriented nature
- Tailored to the specific needs and
characteristics of a community and its
environment
- Forms an interconnected web of knowledge
that is tied together by a holistic world view
- Includes a spiritual or cosmological
aspect
- Acknowledges a relationship
between human and non-human
- The living and non-living
METHODOLOGIES OF INDIGENOUS SCIENCE
Common features:
- Oral transmission of knowledge through
storytelling, song, and ritual
- Serve as repositories of complex
environmental data, ethical
guidelines, and social norms
- Employ a participatory and observational
approach
- Elders take on the role of educators
APPLICATIONS OF INDIGENOUS SCIENCE
- Provides highly sustainable, eco-friendly
solutions to a range of problems
Kaingin System
- When practiced sustainably, shows a
sophisticated understanding of local soil
health, nutrient cycles, and plant diversity
Traditional Architecture of Ivatan People in Batanes
- Offers valuable insights into constructing
buildings that are resilient to typhoons and
earthquakes
Medicinal knowledge
- Local herbs and plant species are now
being studied for their potential in modern
healthcare
Tagbanua community in Palawan
- Employs traditional methods to manage
their fisheries sustainably
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
- Understanding its historical context is
crucial for appreciating its depth and
relevance
Pre-colonial Era
- Indigenous communities had a highly
developed system of science and
technology
