SCIENCE,

TECHNOLOGY,
AND SOCIETY
Lesson 4:
Indigenous Science
a n d Technology in the
Philippines
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:
discuss the concept of indigenous science; and
d isc uss the c ontrib utions of ind ig enous sc ienc e in the
d evelop m ent of sc ienc e a nd tec hnolog y in the
Philippines
Indigenous Knowledge System
Som e exa m p les of ind ig enous knowled g e tha t a re ta ug ht a nd p ra c ticed b y the
indigenous people are:

predicting weather conditions and seasons using knowledge in observing animals'

behavior and celestial bodies
using herbal medicine
preserving foods
classifyng plants and animals into families and groups based on cultural properties
preserving and selecting good seeds for planting
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
keeping the custom of growing plants and vegetables in the yard
 (Superstitious beliefs)

“ When birds are seen

flying by group, it means
there is a storm coming
in that area.”

“ If a moon is seen having a ring surrounds it, means there “ If the sky seen as bloody red, means there will be eclipse
will be rain or storm coming. “ or war is coming.”
“Herbal medicine are still within us. These are discovered and made from the knowledge
of our ancestors. Ideas can be taught and passed to the next generation.”
Indigenous Science
It is part of the indigenous knowledge system practiced by different
groups of people and early civilizations.
According to Cajete, Indigenous Science includes everything from
metaphysics to philosophy and various practical technologies
practiced by indigenous peoples both past and present.
It has also developed diverse structures and contents through the
interplay between the society and environment.
Pawilen developed a simple framework for understanding indigenous science.
Accordingly, indigenous science is composed of traditional knowledge that uses
science process skills and guided by community values and culture.
Indigenous Science
1.) Indigenous science uses science process skills such as obsering 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 Ea rth is reverred a s "Mother Ea rth." It is the orig in of their id entity a s
people.
All living and nonliving things are interconnected and interdependent with
each other.
Hum a n b eing s a re stewa rd s or trustee of the la nd a nd other na tura l
resources. They have a responsibility to preserve it.
Nature is a friend to human beings - it needs respect and proper care
Indigenous Science
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.

Ind ig enous sc ienc e is im p orta nt in the d evelop m ent of sc ienc e a nd

technology in the Philippines.
Thank you.