SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY 2nd Semester A.Y.

2020-2021

LESSON 6: Indigenous Science and

Technology in the Philippines
This lesson focuses on indigenous science and technology in the
Philippines. Filipinos, especially during early times, tried to invent tools that will
Overview 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.

Throughout history, Indigenous peoples have been responsible for the development of many
technologies and have substantially contributed to science. Science is the pursuit of knowledge.
Approaches to gathering that knowledge are culturally relative. Indigenous science incorporates
traditional knowledge and Indigenous perspectives, while non-Indigenous scientific approaches are
commonly recognized as Western science. Together, they contribute substantially to modern science.
Although the value of integrating Indigenous science with Western science has been recognized, we
have only begun to scratch the surface of its benefits.

Indigenous perspectives are holistic and founded upon interconnectedness, reciprocity and the
utmost respect for nature. Both Western and Indigenous science approaches and perspectives have
their strengths and can greatly complement one another.

Expectations At the end of the lesson you should be able to:

1. Define what is indigenous knowledge, indigenous science and identify its characteristics?
2. Explain selected indigenous science and technology in the Philippines.
3. Appreciate the importance of indigenous science and technology in the country.

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e
LET’’S CHECK: List down some traditional/indigenous knowledge that
enga
ge your parents taught you and practiced either in medicine, cooking, farming,
engage
etc.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

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 SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY 2nd Semester A.Y. 2020-2021

SING A SONG: Can you sing one LOCAL/INDIGENOUS SONG that your grandparents
or parents thought you? Write the lyrics below and video yourself singing that song.

Explore Explore

INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS

Explore
Explore
Local or Indigenous knowledge refers to the cumulative and complex
Explore bodies of knowledge, know-how, practices and representations that are maintained
and developed by local communities, who have long histories of interaction with the
natural environment (UNESCO), 2012). It is the knowledge that derives from, or is rooted in the
traditional way of life of aboriginal people.

For centuries, Indigenous people’s lives depended on

their knowledge about the environment. Many plant species — including
three-fifths of the crops now in cultivation and enjoyed across the globe
— were domesticated by Indigenous peoples in North, Central and South
America. Corn, squash, beans, potatoes and peppers are just a few
examples of foods that now contribute vastly to global cuisine.

Indigenous knowledge about the medicinal properties of plants

has been instrumental in pharmacological development. For example,
as settlers arrived in North America, Indigenous people helped
newcomers cure life-threatening scurvy through conifer-needle tonics
that were rich in vitamin C.

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 SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY 2nd Semester A.Y. 2020-2021

The active ingredient in the pain reliever Aspirin, acetylsalicylic

acid, was first discovered by Indigenous people who utilized the bark
of the willow tree. Medicinal plant properties are still being recognized
to this day — especially in tropical ecosystems — as Indigenous
people share their knowledge.

CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE

1. Generated within communities

2. Location and culture specific
3. The basis for decision making and survival strategies
4. Not systematically documented
5. Concerns critical issues of human and animal life: primary production, human and animal
life, natural resource management
6. Dynamic and based on innovation, adaptation, and experimentation
7. Oral and rural in nature

SOME EXAMPLES OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE

1. predicting weather conditions and seasons using knowledge in observing animals’ behavior
and celestial bodies;
2. using herbal medicine;
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. using indigenous technology in daily lives;
7. building local irrigation systems;
8. classifying different types of soil for planting based on cultural properties;
9. producing wines and juices from tropical fruits; and
10. keeping the custom of growing plants and vegetables in the yard.

HOW ABOUT INDIGENOUS SCIENCE?

The Indigenous science is part of indigenous knowledge system practiced by different groups
of people and early civilizations. 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.

Indigenous Science (IS) also refers to the science knowledge of all peoples who, as
participants in culture, are affected by the worldview and interests of their home communities and
homelands.

Ogawa (1995) proposes that every culture has its own science and refers to the science of a
given culture as its “indigenous science” (p. 585). Ogawa quotes Yamada (1970), a Japanese
historian of Oriental science, who writes, “every culture and every society has its own science, and its
function is sustaining its mother society and culture” (p. 585).

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 SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY 2nd Semester A.Y. 2020-2021

SELECTED INDIGENOUS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES

A lot of methods from our early ancestors were lost through time and advancement of
technology. However, there are some science and technology that were still present and used
nowadays. Most of it was preferred than its modern counterpart due to its availability, practicality,
familiarity and sometimes its cost. These are some indigenous science and technology that are still
usable and available today:

1. Medicinal herbs and tonics/ Alternative medicine –

Knowledge about this practice were passed on from
generation to generation thus its survival against time. This is
much preferred than modern medicine mostly in rural areas
due to its cost and availability. Doctors are few in these areas
and people there mostly still believe on traditional beliefs.
Aside from that, some users of the medicinal herbs avoid the
side effects caused by modern medicine. Since herbs are
organic and natural, they less likely cause harmful effects on
the body.

2. Rice Terraces – The Philippine Rice Terraces is a

famous example of an early technology that is used until
today. The unique old way of planting rice is still usable due
to its location and the government’s effort in preserving our
national heritage. The way was passed on to the
descendants from the Pre-Spanish era.

3. “Quesong Puti of Lumban” – This white soft cheese is

famous in Lumban, Laguna. The cheese makers there
inherited the method of creating the cheese from their
ancestors. They prefer the old method than from the
approved modern method because of the longer processing
time and lower yield of cheese. First, the carabaos are
milked by hands and processed through the bamboo tubes
and claypots.

These samples are known science and technology

that can still be found today. There are those that are still used however was not identified or
recorded.

Indigenous peoples, with their decades of personal experience combined with that of their
ancestors, harbour vast knowledge about the environment and the ecological relationships within
them. Tremendous opportunities exist where such knowledge can contribute to modern science and
natural resource management. Throughout history, Indigenous people, perspectives, and knowledge
have contributed substantially to the development of science and technology and will surely continue
to do so for generations to come.
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 SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY 2nd Semester A.Y. 2020-2021

Test Yourself

Answer the following:

1. What is your understanding of indigenous science? What are some examples?

2. Enumerate the characteristics of indigenous knowledge.

3. Do you think indigenous science should be considered science?

4. In what ways indigenous knowledge and indigenous science contributed to the development of
modern science?

Extension Activity:

Research one latest (5 years back only) article/research journal related to indigenous
knowledge or indigenous science. Read and summarize it using the format below.

Important terms Important Concepts/Ideas

Important Generalization Insight learned

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 SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY 2nd Semester A.Y. 2020-2021

References:

1. Javier, et al. (2018) Science, Technology, and Society. Rex Book Store

2. Dr. Godofredo U. Stuart Jr. (2003) Philippine Alternative Medicine. Retrieved may 3 2018 11:40 pm
<http://www.stuartxchange.com/AltMedIntro.html>
[7] Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras. Retrieve may 4 2018, 12: 03am.
<https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/722/>

2. Aquino, Baraquio and Tapay. (2016) A case study of the indigenous technology for making soft
white cheese Kesong Puti in Lumban, Laguna, Philippines

3. How Indigenous knowledge advances modern science and technology

January 3, 2018 10.03am AED retrieved fromhttps://theconversation.com/how-indigenous-knowledge-
advances-modern-science-and-technology-
89351#:~:text=We%20believe%20in%20the%20free%20flow%20of%20information&text=Science%2
0is%20the%20pursuit%20of%20knowledge.&text=Indigenous%20science%20incorporates%20traditi
onal%20knowledge,contribute%20substantially%20to%20modern%20science. Retrieved October 6,
2020

5. Understanding and Acknowledging Indigenous Science. Chapter 6 – Indigenous Science: Proven,

Practical and Timeless. Gloria Snively and John Corsiglia. Retrieved from
https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/knowinghome/chapter/chapter-6/ Retrieved on October 6, 2020

6. Ogawa, M. (1995). Science education in a multiscience perspective. Science Education, 79(5),

583-593. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/sce.3730790507

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