SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY

HANNAH JOY S. ROSERO BLOCK A

MODULE 4: INDIGENOUS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES

1. Give at least 3 examples of Filipino Indigenous Knowledge.

The Philippines is rich in culture and tradition, it is maybe because it is composed of 7,107 islands in
which different indigenous groups and tribe had lived and is living, it is not impossible that before the
modernization every island has its own groups and tribes and every one of them has their own practices.
When it comes to indigenous knowledge, there are different beliefs and ways of life that are until now is
being used.

The use of herbal medicine is being practiced even now, using Lagundi or Oregano to heal asthma,
pneumonia, cough, and sore throat has been already used even before. Garlic is being used to heal
Anemia and High blood and Turmeric as an answer to fever, headache, and body pain).

Before people are only using the stars and constellations to predict weather and seasons but aside from
that, they are also looking and observing the stars to determine if it was already time for farming and if
it the best condition to go fishing or sea fairing. Even when navigating, a fisherman will look for the
northern star to see if he is in the right direction.

Preserving food is not new anymore, the indigenous people use salt, fermentation, drying in order to
lengthen the lifespan of their products for future use. Traditional dance, songs, drama, and rituals are
also part of indigenous knowledge that until now are being studied in school and being performed.

2. What is the connection of Indigenous Knowledge to Science and Technology?

Indigenous Science is connected to Science and Technology thus Indigenous Knowledge is also
connected to Science and Technology. Indigenous Knowledge is formulated by our ancestors with the
utmost respect to nature so whenever there are issues or problems when it comes to the environment,
in order to understand it, indigenous knowledge is being tapped. What we know now about Science and
Technology started from the indigenous knowledge, mostly of science and technology-related things
that are true now has indigenous knowledge in it, at least some part of it can be traced back in the pre-
colonial times. Another point, since it is indigenous knowledge, means that our ancestors had
experienced it themselves so the efficacy or truthfulness of that knowledge is unquestionable.