Indigenous Science and Technology in the Philippines

Indigenous Knowledge

• Foundation of indigenous science

Indigenous Knowledge

• Filipinos, especially during the early times, tried to invent tools that will help them in everyday life. They also developed alternative ideas in explaining various phenomena and in explaining the world around them. 

Indigenous Knowledge System

• It is deeply ingrained in the daily lives of young children, who grow up in a society where community members practice it.

Indigenous Knowledge System

• Parents and Elders they serve as their first teachers, effectively transmitting cultural knowledge. These lessons are deeply intertwined with their culture and environment, encompassing values, life stories, and reflections on nature.

Examples of Indigenous Knowledge

• Predicting weather and seasons using animal behavior and celestial bodies.

• Using herbal medicine.

• Preserving foods.

• Classifying plants and animals based on cultural properties.

• Preserving and selecting good seeds for planting.

• Using indigenous technology.

• Building local irrigation systems.

• Classifying soil types for planting.

• Producing wines and juices from tropical fruits.

• Growing plants and vegetables in the yard.

Herbal Medicine

• Akapulko

• Ampalaya

• Balbas - pusa

• Bayabas

Food Preservation

• Panag - etag

Indigenous Technology

• Pottery

• Weaving

• Stone Tool

Producing wines and juices

• Tuba

Philippine Mythology

• Body of stories and epics from indigenous folk religions; explains nature through deities (anitos, diwatas), heroes, and mythological creatures. Examples: Bakunawa, Bathala.

Philippine Traditional Medicine

• Influenced by religion, mysticism, magic, superstition, herbalism, and Western medicine.

• Examples: Paghilot, Pagtatawas, Albularyo, Faith healing.

Indigenous Science

• Part of indigenous knowledge system; includes knowledge, practices, and strategies for interacting with nature (agriculture, medicine, naming phenomena).

Science Process Skills

• observing

• comparing

• classifying

• measuring

• problem solving

• inferring

• communicating

• predicting

Community Culture and Values

• The land as life source, Mother Earth, stewardship, respect for nature.

Traditional Knowledge

• ethno - biology

• ethno - medicine 

• indigenous farming methods

• folk astronomy 

UNESCO (1999)

• Contributed to the development of science and technology in the Philippines and recognize by them as a historical and valuable contribution.

Executive Order No. 247 (1995)

• Guidelines for prospecting biological and genetic resources.

Republic Act No. 8371

• Recognizes and protects rights of Indigenous Peoples; creates NCIP.

Republic Act No. 8423

• Creates PITAHC for traditional and alternative health care.

Republic Act No. 9168

• Provides protection to new plant varieties; establishes Plant Variety Protection Board.