STS verbatim

LESSON 5: indigenous science and technology in the philippines

*slide 1

- This chapter talks about indigenous science and technology in the Philippines. We'll
be talking about indigenous knowledge system and practices, the Philippine
traditional and alternative medicine, and the laws and strategies in the Philippines
in conserving indigenous knowledge.

*slide 2

- One of the early cultural developments includes stone tool making. These tools are
useful devices such as those for hunting and building houses. Researchers have
theorized that tools were invented in a rationalistic manner, but some consider that
perhaps it occurred merely due to an accident that resulted in early Filipinos to come
up with the idea of stone tools.

- The knowledge and skills of making these tools are passed on to some other
individuals, usually from the same family or neighborhood group.

- It is relatively done via the process of imitation. Consequently, this resulted in a

continuity in cultural progress, and any greater capacity becomes social tradition and
gets preserved in the community, which in turn encouraged the early Filipinos to strive
and come up with newer and better inventions.

*slide 3
- The Philippine Mythology is the body of stories and epics originating from, and a part
of, the indigenous Philippine folk religion, which include various ethnic faiths distinct
from one another.

- Philippine Mythology attempts to explain the nature of the world through the lives and
action of deities, called anitos in the north and diwatas in the south, heroes and
mythological creatures.

- The majority of these myths were passed on through oral tradition and preserved
through the aid of community spiritual leaders or shamans, such as babaylan,
mambuki, baglan, yun yung mga tawag sa mga community leaders during that time.

- And that belief becomes the alternative idea in explaining various phenomena,
whether it is biological, physical or chemical, astronomical or geological, and explaining
the world around them.
*slide 4

- This indigenous knowledge, practices, science and technology, beliefs, is the

foundation of indigenous science.

*slide 5

- So what is indigenous knowledge system? indigenous knowledge is the

understandings, skills, and philosophies developed by societies with long histories
of interaction with their natural surroundings. Comprises knowledge developed
within indigenous societies. Also, it refers to knowledge and knowledge systems that are
unique to a given culture.

- To summarize, indigenous knowledge and indigenous knowledge systems are based in

communities at a very grassroots level. This knowledge provides the critical
sociocultural capital that is essential for communities not only to survive, but also to go
beyond and flourish within the given context of that community's geography,
environment, culture, and economy.

- At the same time, indigenous knowledge system is not static. It changes as it's
required and in response to the various thresholds that our community faces, including
environmental, social, public health, and safety. indigenous science is also informed
through external interchanges and interactions that any community undergoes through
trade, exchange, and other growth boundary type interactions.

*slide 6
- Their parents and other older folks serve as their teachers and their methods of
teaching are very effective in transmitting cultural knowledge in their minds. It simply
means that their indigenous knowledge system originated from their
great-great-grandparents. They were handed down by their forefathers through oral
communication and actual experience.

- Oral communication was used during that time kasi wala pa silang formal education,
since formal education was introduced to us by Spaniards. But it seems that their
knowledge and practices are handed down properly and effectively. Another one is that
they learned from actual experience because their parents bring them, their children to
work in the field, and their children internalize that what, how, and why of their
indigenous knowledge system and practices.

*slide 7
 - Here are the examples of indigenous knowledge that are thought and practiced by
indigenous people.

1. predicting weather conditions and seasons

2. using herbal medicines
3. preserving foods
4. classifying plants and animals into families and groups based on cultural
properties
5. preserving and selecting good seeds for planting
6. building local irrigation systems
7. classifying diff. types of soil for planting based on cultural properties
8. producing wines and juices from tropical fruits

*slide 8

- First is predicting weather conditions and seasons using knowledge in observing

animals' behavior and celestial bodies.

- First belief is when the shining moon with a rainbow encircling or halo appears, it
means there will be calamities or disasters.

- And during New Year, when the cow and horse eat grass, wail, it means drought. And
then, when goats repeatedly wail, there will be landslides.

*slide 9

- In the Philippines, one of the many ethnic minorities with rich traditional knowledge about
the use of medicinal plants and herbal medications are the Ati Negrito people of
Guimaras Island.

- In search for rescue for their disease, the people look for drugs in nature.

- If we compare modern medicine in the 19th century to today, it has been based on
evidence gathered using scientific methods. Evidence-based use of pharmaceutical
drugs, often derived from medicinal plants, has largely replaced herbal treatments in
modern healthcare. However, many people continue to employ various forms of
traditional or alternative medicine.

*slide 10
 - In the earliest part of man's history, man had to gather fruits and vegetables or hunt
animals or fish to sustain himself. However, once the food is harvested, the food's
lifespan started ticking until it gets spoiled or rotten. But man, as the highest form of
creature, had adapted to its environment and learned to harness nature.

- Once he had formed a family or community, he learned to preserve food for later
consumption and for the good of many. Perhaps the easiest and earliest method of
food preservation is drying. It is used heavily during the ancient times until today. Also,
earlier civilizations used salt and smoking techniques in desiccating food.

- Other cultures have used sugars as a preservative. It was common during that time to
store food in honey in craters. Pure natural honey, if you will notice, doesn't attract ants.
In climates without enough sun to dry their food, they preserve food by boiling it with
honey or sugar.

*slide 11

- Classifying plants and animals into families and groups based on their cultural
properties. They already had these practices because they raised livestock, including
swine, pigs, chicken, and carabao, which is very important for their tradition during
harvest. It also serves as their additional income since livestock are bartered to palay.
Also, some groups of animals are reserved for sacrificial purposes.

*slide 12

- Next is preserving and selecting good seeds for planting. Good harvests start with good
seed selection. Good quality seeds are essential for the growth of strong and healthy
crops, which can resist diseases or even drought. There are several diseases that are
transferred via the seeds. If infected seeds are used for the next crop, seed-borne
diseases are transferred into the farm. Seed selection should therefore start by
obtaining seeds from healthy plants. Small and broken seeds contain less nutrients for
the developing seedlings. By removing these inferior seeds, the farmer is able to grow
stronger and healthier seedlings.

*slide 13

- Building of local irrigation systems is vital for growing crops in areas that do not
otherwise receive enough rainfall to sustain them.

*slide 14
 - Next is classifying different types of soil for planting based on cultural properties.
Knowledge of soil classification helps predict soil behavior. Soil behavior helps predict
soil performance for growing agricultural crops. It helps farmers make decisions about
crops to grow in particular areas.

*slide 15

- The last one is producing wines and juices from tropical food. The Filipinos' love for
drinking wine can also be traced in the country's rich culture and tradition. The
Philippines has a unique tradition of brewing, fermenting, and drinking wines, which are
produced in different parts of the country. Every region has its unique and exotic line of
local wines and spirits, which is rich in variety and flavors.

- One of the examples is tuba, or coconut toddy, that is claimed to be the oldest
recorded alcoholic drink in the Philippines. When the famous explorer Ferdinand
Magellan and his men arrived in the country in March 17, 1521, it was believed that
natives offered them tuba as a welcome drink. Another one is Basi. It is a sugar cane
wine made in the Ilocos Norte. This product has been produced and consumed since
before the invasion of Spaniards.

*slide 16

- Traditional medicine has been practiced since ancient times in every culture throughout
the world, and has been an integral part of human evolution and development. The
evolution of Philippine traditional medicine is an interesting study that is influenced by
religion, mysticism, magic, superstition, folkloric herbalism, and Western
medicine. Philippine's common traditional medicine practitioner includes the following:

1. hilot or manghihilot
2. albularyo
3. tawas or mangtatawas
4. faith healers

*slide 17

- HILOT or MANGI-HILOT acts as a midwife, a chiropractor, or massage therapist to

promote health and healing. Dahil nga walang medical facilities and medical services
during that time, traditional midwives or yung mga kumadrona, siguro naman familiar
kayo doon, sila yung mga nagpapacilitate ng pagpapaanak. Pag napipilayan naman, lalo
na yung mga bata, they act as massage therapists para mabilis mag-recover yung
katawan ng mga bata. In our present situation, madami pa rin ang naniniwala sa HILOT,
lalo na yung mga nasa remote areas or nasa probinsya, and it seems very effective pa
rin naman.
*slide 18

- Albularyo is a general practitioner who uses a combination of healing modalities that

may include prayers, incantations, mysticism, and herbalism. Herbalism is very
popular sa ating mga Pilipino. Pag sinabing albularyo, iniisip agad natin si Mang
Kepweng. Yung may bitbit na dahon o may mga dahon sa ulo. Yung tipong
hinahampas-hampas ka ng dahon at inuorasyonan. Dun-dun-dun-dun-dun-dun-dun-dun.
Parang ganon, di ba? Kidding aside, treatment of illness revolve around different
rituals. They believe that every illness which befalls every human has corresponding
ritual-based cure. Sa panahon natin ngayon, marami pa ring Pilipino ang naniniwala o
tumatangkilik sa bita at panalangin ng mga albularyo. Bakit kaya, sa tingin mo? Dahil
siguro malayo sila sa kabihasnan or they lack medical facilities to cure their diseases.

*slide 19

- Next is Tawas or Mangtatawas. This practitioner uses alum, o yung tawas nga,
candles, smoke, paper, eggs, and other mediums to diagnose the cause of illness
associated by prayers and incantations. They also use charms and amulets to detect
the presence of evil spirits causing the illness.

*slide 20

- Faith healers are practitioners who claims divine power bestowed by Holy Spirit or
God. A patient is required to have faith and believe in divine powers to effect healing.
Bajau believes in the healing power of magic calling on the spirit to cure diseases. This
healing is performed at night where the good spirit is asked to cure their illness and
diseases, to give them healthy body and to prolong their life.

*slide 21

- Now, let's talk about indigenous science. According to Gribbin, Mkapa, and Sibisi,
indigenous science is part of the indigenous knowledge system practiced by
different groups of people and early civilizations.

*slide 22

- Pawilen explained that the invasion of science knowledge had developed diverse
structures through interplay between the society and environment.

*slide 23

- Also, Ogawa claimed that indigenous science is collectively lived in and experienced
by the people of a given culture.
*slide 24

- Cajete said that indigenous science includes everything from metaphysics to

philosophy, and various practical technologies practiced by indigenous people both
past and present.

*slide 25

- According to Laccarino, science is part of culture and how science is done largely
depends on the cultural practices of the people.

*slide 26

- Kuhn said that the developmental stages of most sciences are characterized by
continual competition between a number of distinct views of nature, each partially
competition between roughly compatible with the dictates of scientific observation and
methods.

1. gribbin, mkapa, sibisi - is is part of iks

2. pawilen - society and environment
3. ogawa - collectively experienced
4. cajete (2004) - metaphysics to philosophy
5. laccarino (2003) - cultural practices
6. kuhn (1962) - continual competition

*slide 27

- When talking about modern science, indigenous science provides the basics of
astronomy, pharmacology, food technology, or metallurgy, which were derived from
traditional knowledge and practices.

*slide 28

1. Indigenous science uses science process skills, such as

1. observing,
2. comparing,
3. classifying,
4. measuring,
5. problem-solving,
6. inferring,
7. communicating,
 8. and predicting.

Ancient Filipinos used their senses to explain their natural surroundings.

*slide 29

2. Indigenous science is guided by culture and community values such as the following:

First, the land is a source of life. It is a precious gift from God or from their creator.

The earth is revered as Mother Earth. It is the origin of their identity.

The value of environment is ingrained in their mind such that they maintain well and
take from it no more than what they need. Indigenous people are very dependent to its
environment. That is why they really need to take care of it.

*slide 30

- Nature is a friend to human beings. It needs respect and proper care. We are the
trustee of the land and other natural resources.

*slide 31

3. Lastly, indigenous science is composed of traditional knowledge, practice, and

values by people and communities, such as ethnobiology, ethnomedicine,
indigenous farming methods, and folk astronomy.

*slide 32

- Here are the lists of Philippine laws that feature or have references to traditional
knowledge.

1. executive no. 247 (1995) - regulatory fw

2. ra 8371 - rights of indi ppl
3. ra 8423 - trad and alt health care
4. ra 9168 - new plant varieties
5. ra 9147 - protection of wildlife

*slide 33

- First is Executive No. 247 of 1995, Prescribing Guidelines and Establishing Regulatory
Framework for the Prospecting of Biological and Genetic Resources, Their
By-Products and Derivatives for Scientific and Commercial Purposes, and for Other
Purposes. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, or DENR, is the
 primary government agency responsible for the conservation, management,
development, and sustainable use of the country's environment and natural resources.
The Department of Science and Technology is the primary agency mandated to
promote local capability in science and technology to achieve technological
self-reliance in selected areas, vital to national development, and the Department of
Agriculture is the agency responsible for the promotion of sustainable agriculture
and aquatic resource development. The Department of Health is the agency
responsible for the formulation, planning, implementation, and coordination of
policies and programs in the field of health, including the research, regulation, and
development of drugs and medicine. The Department of Foreign Affairs is the agency
responsible for promoting international relations.

1. DENR - conservation of natural resources

2. DOST - science and technology
3. DOA - sustainable agriculture
4. DOH - field of health
5. DOFA - international relations

*slide 35

- Next is the Republic Act No. 8371, an act to recognize, protect, and promote the rights
of indigenous cultural communities or indigenous peoples, creating a national
commission on indigenous peoples, establishing and implementing mechanisms,
appropriating funds, therefore, and for other purposes. The state shall recognize and
promote all the rights of indigenous cultural communities or indigenous peoples, hereon
they are enumerated within the framework of the Constitution. First, the state shall
recognize and promote the rights of indigenous peoples within the framework of
national unity and development.

*slide 36

- Next is the Republic Act 8423, an act creating the Philippine Institute of Traditional and
Alternative Health Care to accelerate the development of traditional and alternative
health care in the Philippines, providing for a traditional and alternative health care fund
and other purposes. It is hereby declared the policy of the state to improve the quality
and delivery of health care services to the Filipino people through the development of
traditional and alternative health care and its integration into the national health care
delivery system. One of the objectives of this act is to encourage scientific research
on and develop traditional and alternative health care systems that have direct
impacts on public health care.

*slide 37
 - Another one is the Republic Act No. 9168, an act to provide protection to new plant
varieties, establishing a National Plant Variety Protection Board and for other purposes.
One of the statement of policies is that the state recognizes that an effective intellectual
property system in general and the development of new plant variety in particular is vital
in attaining food security for the country. To this end, it shall protect and secure the
exclusive rights of breeders with respect to their new plant variety.

*slide 38

- The last one is the Republic Act No. 9147, an act providing for the conservation and
protection of wildlife resources and their habitats, appropriating funds therefore and
for other purposes. This act shall have the following objectives:

- First, to conserve and protect wildlife species and their habitats to promote
ecological balance and enhance biological diversity.

- Second, to regulate the collection and trade of wildlife.

- Third, to pursue with due regard to national interest the Philippine commitment to
international conventions' protection of wildlife and their habitats.

- And last, to initiate or support scientific studies on the conservation of biological

diversity.