Indigenous Science and

Technology in the Philippines

Bautista, J. L., Calingasan, L. C., Carandang, G. R., Cueto, L. L.,
Dimayuga, J., Gaca, M., Gregorio, D. P., Gumera, W., Inciong,
A., Isaga, J. R., Regodos, L. A., & Roxas, J.
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.
Fig. 1: Spears of ancient Fig. 2: Necklace for a Fig. 3: Gimata
Filipinos Rajah or nobility

(National Museum of the Philippines, 2021)

Indigenous Knowledge System
● Indigenous knowledge is a part of children’s daily life.
● Parents and older folks served as their first teachers.
● Lessons consisted of good values and life stories of
people, which are evident in stories, poems, and songs.
Using herbal medicine Preserving foods Building local irrigation systems

Classifying different types of soil for planting Producing wines and juices from tropical fruits
Indigenous Science
● A part of the indigenous knowledge system (Sibisi,
2004)
● Includes complex arrays of knowledge, expertise,
practices, and representations
● Collectively experienced by people of a certain culture
(Ogawa, 1995)
Indigenous Science
● Includes everything, from metaphysics to philosophy and
different practical technologies (Cajete, 2004)
● Science is a part of culture (Iacearino, 2003).
Desirable Values to Scientific
Attitudes (Johnston, 2000)
1. Motivating attitudes
2. Cooperating attitudes
3. Practical attitudes
4. Reflective attitudes
Indigenous Science
● Provides the basics of astronomy, pharmacology,
food technology, and metallurgy (Sibisi, 2004)
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?
Think about these questions.
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?
The Concept of Indigenous Science
(Pawilen, 2006)
UNESCO Declaration on Science and the Use of
Scientific Knowledge (1999) recognized indigenous
science as a historical and valuable contribution to
science and technology.
References
National Museum of the Philippines. (2021). Ethnology: Jewelry. Retrieved
https://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/our-collections/ethnology/jewelry/

National Museum of the Philippines. (2021). Ethnology: Mats and baskets. Retrieved
https://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/our-collections/ethnology/mats-and-baskets/

National Museum of the Philippines. (2021). Ethnology: Weapons, shields, and armors.
Retrieved
https://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/our-collections/ethnology/weapons-and-shields/

Serafica, J. P., Pawilien, G. T., Caslib, B. N. Jr., & Afata, E. J. (2018). Science, technology,
and society. (1st ed.). REX.