QUIRINO STATE UNIVERSITY

MADDELA CAMPUS
Maddela, 3404 Quirino

COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION

Module 4 Indigenous Science and Technology in the Philippines

Competencies 1. Discuss the concept of indigenous science; and
2. Discuss the contribution of indigenous science in the development of
science and technology in the Philippines
Discussion This lesson focuses on indigenous science and technology in the
Philippines. 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.
This system of knowledge is called indigenous knowledge, which is the
foundation of indigenous science

Indigenous Knowledge System

Indigenous knowledge is embedded in the daily life experiences of young

children as they grow up. They live and grow in a society where the
members of the community prominently practice indigenous knowledge.
Their parents and other older folks served as their first teachers and their
methods of teaching are very effective in transmitting cultural knowledge in
their minds. The lessons they learned are intimately interwoven with their
culture and the environment. These lessons comprised of good values and
life stories of people on their daily life struggles. Their views about nature
and their reflections on their experiences in daily life are evident in their
stories, poems, and songs.

Some examples of indigenous knowledge that are taught and practiced by

the indigenous people are:

• predicting weather conditions and seasons using knowledge in

observing animals' behavior and celestial bodies;
• using herbal medicine;
• preserving foods;
• classifying plants and animals into families and groups based on
cultural properties;
• preserving and selecting good seeds for planting;
• using indigenous technology in daily lives;
• building local irrigation systems;
• classifying different types of soil for planting based on cultural
properties;
• producing wines and juices from tropical fruits; and
• keeping the custom of growing plants and vegetables in the yard.

Indigenous Science

Indigenous science is part of the indigenous knowledge system practiced by

different groups of people and early civilizations (Gribbin, 2001; Mkapa,
2004; Sibisi, 2004). It includes complex arrays of knowledge, expertise,
practices, and representations that guide human societies in their
enumerable interactions with the natural milieu: agriculture, medicine,
naming and explaining natural phenomena, and strategies for coping with
changing environments (Pawilen, 2005). Ogawa (1995) claimed that it is
collectively lived in and experienced by the people of a given culture.
VISION MISSION
The leading center for academic and technological excellence Develop competent and morally upright professionals and generate
and prime catalyst for a progressive and sustainable Quirino appropriate knowledge and technologies to meet the needs of Quirino
Province and Southern Cagayan Valley. Province and Southern Cagayan Valley.

“Molding Minds, Shaping Future”

Page |1
 QUIRINO STATE UNIVERSITY
MADDELA CAMPUS
Maddela, 3404 Quirino

COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION

According to Cajete (2004), indigenous science includes everything, from

metaphysics to philosophy and various practical technologies practiced by
indigenous peoples both past and present. Iaccarino (2003) elaborated this
idea by explaining that science is a part of culture, and how science is done
largely depends on the cultural practices of the people.

Indigenous beliefs also develop desirable values that are relevant or

consistent to scientific attitudes as identified by Johnston (2000), namely:
(1) motivating attitudes; (2) cooperating attitudes; (3) practical attitudes,
and (4) reflective attitudes. These cultural beliefs therefore can be good
foundation for developing positive values toward learning and doing science
and in bringing science in a personal level.

Pawilen (2005) explained that indigenous science knowledge has developed

diverse structures and contents through the interplay between the society
and the environment. According to Kuhn (1962), developmental stages of
most sciences are characterized by continual competition between a
number of distinct views of nature, each partially derived from, and all
roughly compatible with the dictates of scientific observation and method.
Sibisi (2004) also pointed out that indigenous science provides the basics
of astronomy, pharmacology, food technology, or metallurgy, which were
derived from traditional knowledge and practices.

Pawilen (2006) developed a simple framework for understanding indigenous

science. Accordingly, indigenous science is composed of traditional
knowledge that uses science process skills and guided by community values
and culture.

INDIGENOUS SCIENCE

Uses guided by composed of

Science Process Skills Community Culture and Values Traditional Knowledge

Figure 1. The Concept of Indigenous Science

1. Indigenous science uses science process skills such as observing,

comparing, classifying, measuring, problem solving, inferring,
communicating, and predicting.

2. Indigenous science is guided by culture and community values

such as the following:
• The land is a source of life. It is a precious gift from the creator.
• The Earth is revered as "Mother Earth." It is the origin of their
identity as people.
• All living and nonliving things are interconnected and
interdependent with each other.
• Human beings are stewards or trustee of the land and other natural
resources. They have a responsibility to preserve it.
• Nature is a friend to human beings it needs respect and proper care.

VISION MISSION
The leading center for academic and technological excellence Develop competent and morally upright professionals and generate
and prime catalyst for a progressive and sustainable Quirino appropriate knowledge and technologies to meet the needs of Quirino
Province and Southern Cagayan Valley. Province and Southern Cagayan Valley.

“Molding Minds, Shaping Future”

Page |2
 QUIRINO STATE UNIVERSITY
MADDELA CAMPUS
Maddela, 3404 Quirino

COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION

3. Indigenous science is composed of traditional knowledge practiced

and valued by people and communities such as ethno-biology,
ethno-medicine, indigenous farming methods, and folk astronomy.

Indigenous science is important in the development of science technology

in the Philippines. Like the ancient civilizations, indigenous science gave
birth to the development of science and technology as a field and as a
discipline. Indigenous science helped the people in understanding the
natural environment and in coping with everyday life. UNESCO’s
Declaration on Science and the Use of Scientific Knowledge (1999)
recognized indigenous science as a historical and valuable contribution to
science and technology.
Enrichment Identify a Filipino indigenous knowledge that is being practiced in your
Activities community and research its connection to science and technology.
Criterion 4 3 2 1
Focus and There is one clear, well- There is one clear, There is one topic.
Details focused topic. Main ideas well-focused topic. Main ideas are The topic and main
are clear and are well Main ideas are clear somewhat clear. ideas are not clear.
supported by detailed but are not well
and accurate supported by
information. detailed information.
Organization The introduction is The introduction The introduction There is no clear
inviting, states the main states the main topic states the main introduction,
topic, and provides an and provides an topic. A conclusion structure, or
overview of the paper. overview of the is included. conclusion.
Information is relevant paper. A conclusion
and presented in a logical is included.
order. The conclusion is
strong.
Voice The author’s purpose of The author’s purpose The author’s The author’s
writing is very clear, and of writing is purpose of writing purpose of writing
there is strong evidence somewhat clear, and is somewhat clear, is unclear.
of attention to audience. there is some and there is
The author’s extensive evidence of attention evidence of
knowledge and/or to audience. The attention to
experience with the topic author’s knowledge audience. The
is/are evident. and/or experience author’s knowledge
with the topic is/are and/or experience
evident with the topic
is/are limited.
Word Choice The author uses vivid The author uses vivid The author uses The writer uses a
words and phrases. The words and phrases. words that limited vocabulary.
choice and placement of The choice and communicate Jargon or clichés
words seems accurate, placement of words clearly, but the may be present and
natural, and not forced. is inaccurate at times writing lacks detract from the
and/or seems variety. meaning.
overdone.
Sentence All sentences are well Most sentences are Most sentences are Sentences sound
Structure, constructed and have well constructed and well constructed, awkward, are
Grammar, varied structure and have varied structure but they have a distractingly
Mechanics, length. The author makes and length. The similar structure repetitive, or are
& no errors in grammar, author and/or length. The difficult to
Spelling mechanics, and/or makes a few errors in author makes understand. The
spelling. grammar, several errors in author makes
mechanics, grammar, numerous errors
and/or spelling, but mechanics, and/or in grammar,
they do not interfere spelling that mechanics, and/or
with understanding. interfere with spelling that
understanding interfere with
understanding.

Comprehension 1. Which of the following statements BEST describes indigenous

Check science?
A. a unique knowledge confined to particular culture or society
B. often referred to as traditional wisdom or traditional knowledge
C. composed of people’s views about nature and their reflections on
their experiences in daily life
D. all of the above
2. What are examples of indigenous knowledge?
VISION MISSION
The leading center for academic and technological excellence Develop competent and morally upright professionals and generate
and prime catalyst for a progressive and sustainable Quirino appropriate knowledge and technologies to meet the needs of Quirino
Province and Southern Cagayan Valley. Province and Southern Cagayan Valley.

“Molding Minds, Shaping Future”

Page |3
 QUIRINO STATE UNIVERSITY
MADDELA CAMPUS
Maddela, 3404 Quirino

COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION

A. using herbal medicine to treat diseases

B. predicting weather conditions and seasons using knowledge in
observing animals' behavior and celestial bodies
C. preserving foods
D. all of the above
3. Which of the following guides the development of indigenous science?
A. culture B. values C. both a and d. process skills
4. Which of the following is NOT an example of folk astronomy?
A. Stars are used to determine the perfect time for farming.
B. Stars are used to determine the best conditions for fishing and
seafaring.
C. Fermentation
D. None of the above
5. What is ethno biology?
A. It is the scientific study of the way living things are treated or used
by different human cultures.
B. It is the scientific study of the traditional knowledge and customs
of a people concerning plants and their medical, religious, and other
uses.
C. It is the scientific description of the customs of individual peoples
and cultures.
D. It is the study of life.

Answer Keys:
1. D. All of the above.
2. D. All of the above.
3. C. Both A and B
4. C. Fermentation
5. A. It is the scientific study of the way living things are treated or used by
different human cultures.
References Cajete, G. (2004). "A Multi-contextual Model for Developing Culturally
Responsive Indigenous Science Curricula." Paper presented at the
Science and Mathematics in Pacific Rim Nations Conference. University
of Hawaii
14-17, 2004. Manoa. October
Gribbin, J. (2003). Science: A History. London, UK: Penguin Books.
Iaccarino, M. (2003). Science and Culture. EMB0 Reports, 4, 220-223.
Johnston, J. (2000). "Making Sense of the National Criteria." In Science 3-
6: Laying the Foundations in the Early Years. (pp. 7-14). Baldock, UK:
Association for Science Education.
Kuhn, T. S. (1962). The Structure of Scientific Revolution. (3rd. Ed.)
Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Mkapa, B. (2004). "Indigenous Knowledge - A Local Pathway to Global
Development." In Indigenous Knowledge Local Pathways to Global
Development: Making Five Years of the World Bank Indigenous
Knowledge Development Program (pp. 1-3). Washington, D.C.: The
World Bank.
Ogawa, M. (1995). "Science Education in a Multiscience Perspective." In
Science Education, 79, 583-593.
Pawilen, G.T. & Sumida, M. (2005). "Using Indigenous Knowledge as a
Foundation for Developing a Science-Based Curriculum

VISION MISSION
The leading center for academic and technological excellence Develop competent and morally upright professionals and generate
and prime catalyst for a progressive and sustainable Quirino appropriate knowledge and technologies to meet the needs of Quirino
Province and Southern Cagayan Valley. Province and Southern Cagayan Valley.

“Molding Minds, Shaping Future”

Page |4