INDIGENOUS SCIENCE

AND TECHNOLOGY
IN THE PHILIPPINES
BY: GROUP 4
LESSON OBJECTIVES

At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:

• Discuss the concept of indigenous science; and

• Discuss the contribution of indigenous science in the

development of science and technology in the Philippines.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
01 INTRODUCTION
02INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEM
03 PHILIPPINE MYTHOLOGY
04 FILIPINO TRADITIONAL MEDICINE
05INDIGENOUS SCIENCE
06 SUMMARY
01 INTRODUCTION
01 INTRODUCTION

INDIGENOUS SCIENCE AND

TECHNOLOGY

INDIGENOUS SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY

01 INTRODUCTION
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.
 02 INDIGENOUS
KNOWLEDGE SYSTEM
02 Indigenous Knowledge System
What is Indigenous
Knowledge?
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 and their experiences in daily life are
evident in
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;
Some examples of indigenous knowledge
that are taught and practiced by the
indigenous people are:
• 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.
PREDICTING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND SEASONS USING KNOWLEDGE
IN OBSERVING ANIMALS' BEHAVIOR AND CELESTIAL BODIES;

People in rural communities in Ilocos Norte Province in the

Philippines rely heavily on traditional knowledge,
particularly for predicting weather to plan and prepare
their agroforestry activities as well as disaster prevention.
Farmers use this knowledge, derived from observations of
atmospheric and astronomic conditions, indicator plants
and behavior of animals (insects, birds, and mammals)
which signal the onset of the rainy season. These
indicators prompt farmers to prepare their upland
farmlands for cropping to ensure that vegetative ground
cover is established prior to heavy rainfall and thereby
prevent erosion of upland soil and siltation of
watercourses. Predictive knowledge of the timing of long
or short rainy periods enables farmers to plant suitable
crops.
USING HERBAL MEDICINE

The practice of herbal medicine in the Philippines has come

a very long way. Folkloric use of herbal plants by our
forefathers in the ancient times has been passed on from
one generation to another. In the past few decades,
interests into finding scientific evidence on these folkloric
claims have instigated the conduct of basic and preclinical
researches mostly done in colleges and universities.

However, their use did not become popular due to

questions in their claimed effectiveness for lack of scientific
evidence. In the last decade, at least three herbal drugs
came out of the market: Vitex negundo (lagundi) for cough
and mild asthma, Momordica charantia (ampalaya) for
diabetes and Blumea balsamifera (sambong) as
chemolithiatic for kidney stones.
PRESERVING FOODS
In data shared by renowned food historian Felice Prudente Sta.
Maria, having preserves during bad weather, poor harvests and
emergencies was important.

When the 19th turned into the 20th century, slices of hearts of
coconut palm, grated unripe papaya, sliced or grated ginger,
whole shallots and sliced radish were commonly made into
pickles.
Further, Sta. Maria wrote that the Spanish word encurtidos
(pickled appetizers), the Sanskrit-rooted achara and its nativized
atsara coexist in the Filipino culinary vocabulary.
Fruits preserved in sugar are referred to by Spanish terms as en
almibar (“in syrup”) and dulce, and the latter’s generic Filipino
synonym, matamis.

Sta. Maria penned that in 1521, Magellan’s men found coconut

vinegar being made in Cebu. There was, however, no mention
made of pickling, and though coconut palm sugar cakes and
honey were available when Magellan arrived in 1521, there were
no records of conserving in syrup or honey.
·CLASSIFYING PLANTS AND ANIMALS INTO FAMILIES AND
GROUPS BASED ON CULTURAL PROPERTIES;

All over the world people classify the surrounding plants

and animals in folk biological systems and appear to do
this in similar ways. To distinguish and thereby establish
categories, to relate these categories to each other and
thus establish classification systems is a deeply rooted
human impulse. As plants and animals are the outcome of
an evolutionary process, they accordingly show
regularities in morphology and behavior. Cognitive
scientists suggest, that we dispose of an innate ability to
classify plants and animals, following roughly the
progression of biological evolution. This classification
ability helps us to perceive our environment, to memorize
information about it, to reason and speculate about it and
hence to interact with it.
·PRESERVING AND SELECTING GOOD SEEDS FOR PLANTING
According to Hizola, until recently, seed saving was
actually a big part of Philippine culture. “In our country,
seed saving was (and hopefully still is or will be again) an
important part of our culture. For example, the passing of
rice grains for planting from one generation to the next
was a matrilineal tradition in some areas,” she says. “For
our ancestors and our not so distant progenitors, this was
a way to ensure that their children and grandchildren
would not go hungry. The same should be true now. We
should save seeds to ensure our food security and the
food security of our children.”
It also helps keep indigenous plants from disappearing.
“Saving seeds also ensures that we are able to safeguard
our endemic species against contamination and
extinction,” Hizola says. “Benguet Association of Seed
Savers (BASS) and our partners in Cebu have started
looking into harvesting and storing local flora that are part
of our food system. We are hoping to encourage all our
partners and future partners to do the same.”
USING INDIGENOUS TECHNOLOGY IN DAILY LIVES;

Indigenous technology is a relatively misunderstood

phenomenon.
This isn't the use of technology by or for the benefit of
Indigenous peoples. It refers to the multiple ways that
Indigenous knowledges are used to improve the lives of
humans—ancient practices that have existed in various
parts of the world that are still relevant, and prevalent,
today

Indigenous knowledges and technology have been linked

from the beginning of time. Fundamental concepts of
Indigenous knowledges can and should underpin the
development and role of technology in multiple ways.
BUILDING LOCAL IRRIGATION SYSTEMS;

Irrigation has historically been a major factor for

increasing rice productivity in the Philippines. Irrigation
raises the productivity of land directly by providing
sufficient water supply to raise yield per hectare per crop
and by allowing a second crop to be grown during the dry
season when yields are potentially higher. It also
increases yields indirectly by raising the profitability of
modem rice varieties and fertilizer use. Because
irrigation in the Philippines has been predominantly the
gravity irrigation type which typically require collective
investment, operation, and maintenance irrigation has
been a key policy instrument for achieving government's
goals with respect to the rice sector.
CLASSIFYING DIFFERENT TYPES OF SOIL FOR PLANTING BASED ON
CULTURAL PROPERTIES;

When it comes to crop production, considering the

types of soil is essential. Six main soil types are
typically distinguished in agriculture. Each of them has
specific physical and chemical properties. While some
types of soil are more productive and accommodating,
utilizing amendments suitable for each type can still
benefit growers.

The state of a field constantly changes due to various

causes and must be regularly examined. Satellite
technologies can be advantageous for pinpointing areas
requiring immediate rehabilitation and tracking changes
over time.
PRODUCING WINES AND JUICES FROM TROPICAL FRUITS;

Tropical fruit wine-making in the Philippines started

during the early 1980's. Guyabano (sour sop), pineapple,
kamias (ginger lily), mango, duhat (Philippine black
plum), and bignay (Philippine wild berry) are among the
many tropical fruits commonly used in producing unique-
tasting wines. Other fruits like sampalok (tamarind) and
granadilla (passion fruit) are the more recent additions to
the list of locally produced fruit wines
KEEPING THE CUSTOM OF GROWING PLANTS AND VEGETABLES IN THE
YARD

The main features and benefits of traditional farming

are to sustain the capacity of the soil to produce
healthy and organic crops using available resources.
This is the type of farming that prevailed in the
Philippines before the introduction of mechanized and
chemical farming.

The other benefits of backyard farming in the

Philippines include addressing issues of hunger, food
insecurity, and inadequate diet, as well as promoting
household self-sufficiency and well-being.
03 PHILIPPINE
MYTHOLOGY
 BATHALA
In ancient Tagalog, the Supreme Being known as
Bathala Maykapal, commonly known as Bathala, is
regarded as the creator and ruler of the universe. This
term was also used for lesser beings such as personal
spirits, omen birds, comets, and other heavenly
bodies. It was after the Spanish missionaries came to
the Philippines that Bathala Maykapal became known
as a Christian God. Before the 19th century, the term
was never used since it was replaced by the words
Panginoon and Diyos.
 BAKUNAWA
The Bakunawa is a mythical creature in Philippine
folklore, often referred to as the "Moon-Eating
Dragon." According to the myth, Bakunawa is a
gigantic sea serpent with a dragon's head that rises
from the ocean to devour the moon during a lunar
eclipse.
 TALES OF THE MAYON
VOLCANO
The legend of Mayon Volcano is a captivating tale of love
and tragedy. It centers around Daragang Magayon, a
beautiful maiden from Ibalon, the daughter of the tribal
chief Makusog.
Her beauty attracted many suitors, but she fell in love wi
th Panganoron, who saved her from drowning in the Yaw
a River
.
Their love story took a tragic turn when Pagtuga, a
jealous suitor, kidnapped Magayon’s father and
demanded her hand in marriage. Panganoron fought to
rescue her, and a fierce battle ensued. Although
Panganoron defeated Pagtuga, he was fatally wounded
by a poisoned arrow.
In her grief, Magayon took her own life, Makusog buried
the lovers together, and over time, the land where they
were buried rose to form the majestic Mayon Volcano.
The volcano’s perfect cone shape is said to symbolize M
 04 FILIPINO
TRADITIONAL
MEDICINE
PAG-HILOT

The term “hilot” commonly

refers to the rubbing or
providing pressure on the
muscles and joints as a way to
promote body healing. This
traditional healing practice is
more often performed by
elderlies referred to as healers.
PAG-HILOT
HEALTH BENEFITS OF HILOT:

• Relieves muscle pain

• Aids in giving birth
• Helps mothers recover from
childbirth
• An effective way to de-stress
• Reduces fatigue
• Eliminates toxins
• Gain better flexibility
ALBULARYO The term Albularyo is derived from the
Spanish word “herbolario”, which refers to
a person who works with herbs. Traditional
healing practices in the Philippines date
back to pre-colonial times when
indigenous healers used herbs, roots, and
other natural remedies to treat ailments.
When the Spaniards invaded the
Philippines in the 16th century, they
introduced new healing practices and
spiritual beliefs to the area, which were
later incorporated into indigenous healing
PAGTATAWAS
Tawas Diagnostics have long been used
and practiced in the Philippines, as a
diagnostic and treatment modality. In rural
areas of the Philippines, its use is in the
purview of the Albularyo for a variety of
conditions, or failure to thrive. Tawas
determines what causes the person to be
physically, mentally, and/or spiritually ill or
energetically blocked. Unlike typical
medical diagnostics or check-ups, Tawas
Diagnostics deals with illness on a
THREE TYPES OF
PAGTATAWAS

PAPER EG CANDLE
G
FAITH HEALING
Faith healing is a method of treating illnesses
through faith rather than medical methods. Faith
healing is usually practiced through prayers to
gods and deities. All religions have their own
faith healing practices. Believers in faith healing
believed that the healing of disease and
disability can be brought about by religious faith
through prayer or other rituals that can
stimulate a divine presence and power. Faith
healing refers to terminate an illness or a
debilitating physical condition through
supernatural means such as the power of prayer
or a Godly intervention through a miracle.”
 ICE BREAKER
Guess the Jumbled Letters
With the help of the Picture!
These are Included in
the Philippine
Mythology and
Traditional Medicine.
ICE BREAKER
AKAABUNW
ICE BREAKER
BAKUNAWA
ICE BREAKER
ILHTO
ICE BREAKER
HILOT
ICE BREAKER
YORALAUBL
ICE BREAKER
ALBULARYO
05 INDIGENOUS
SCIENCE
 INDIGINEOUS 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).
 INDIGINEOUS SCIENCE
Ogawa (1995) claimed that it is collectively lived in and experienced by
the people of a given culture.

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.
INDIGINEOUS SCIENCE
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.
INDIGINEOUS SCIENCE
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.
INDIGINEOUS SCIENCE

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.
 THINK ABOUT THESE
QUESTIONS
1. What is your understanding of indigenous science?

2. What are examples of indigenous science

practices?

3. Why do some people believe in indigenous science?

4. Do you think indigenous science should be

considered science?

5. What is the role of indigenous science in the

development of science and technology?
INDIGENOUS SCIENCE
Pawilen (2006) developed a simple framework for understandingindigenous science.
Accordingly, indigenous science is composed of traditional knowledge that uses science
process skills and guided by community values and culture.

INDIGENOUS
SCIENCE
Composed of
Uses Guided by
SCIENCE PROCESS COMMUNITY TRADITIONAL
SKILLS CULTURE AND VALUES KNOWLEDGE

Figure 6. 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.
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 and 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.
06 SUMMARY
 • This lesson discussed the concept of indigenous knowledge and its
influence on the development of indigenous science.

• The communities in the Philippines have maintained vast amounts of

indigenous knowledge, cultural practices, traditions, and beliefs. These
include beliefs and practices ranging from different areas such as health,
environment, peace and order, agriculture, food production, astronomy,
music, and literature.

• The indigenous knowledge system of the people served as the foundation for
the development of indigenous science.

• Even before the time of the Spanish colonization in the Philippines, various
people and communities already practiced science.

• They invented tools and built structures, studied the medicinal uses of plants,
observed heavenly bodies to predict seasons and weather, and used
indigenous science in agriculture. These are considered indigenous science,
which is one of the foundations of modern science.
 References
• Cajete, G. (2004). "A Multi-contextual Model for Developing Culturally
Responsive Indigenous Science Curricula." Paper resented at the Science
and Mathematics in Pacific Rim Nations Conference. University of Hawaii
- Manoa. October 14-17, 2004.

• Gribbin, J. (2003). Science: A History. London, UK: Penguin Books.

• laccarino, M. (2003). Science and Culture. EMBO Reports, 4, 220-223.

• Johnston, J. (2000). "Making Sense of the National Criteria." InScience 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.
 References
• 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 for Community Kindergarten Schools in
Northern Philippines." Published in the International Journal of Early Childhood
Education. 11, 2. 31-50.

• Sibisi, S. (2004). "Indigenous Knowledge and Science and Technology: Conflict,

Contradiction or Concurrence?" In Indigenous Knowledge Local Pathways to Global
Development: Making Five Years of the World Bank Indigenous Knowledge
Development Program. (pp. 34-38). Washington, D.C.: The World Bank.
•
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THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING!