LESSON 4: INDIGENOUS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES

OBJECTIVES:
After this lesson, you should be able to:
1. discuss the concept of indigenous science; and
1. discuss the contribution of indigenous science in the development of science and technology in the Philippines

LEARNING EXPERIENCES

I. ENGAGE
The 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.

II. EXPLORE
Republic Act No. 8371
- an act to recognize, protect and promote the rights of indigenous cultural communities/indigenous peoples,
creating a national commission on indigenous peoples, establishing implementing mechanisms, appropriating
funds therefor, and for other purposes.

Section 3 - Definition of Terms

h) Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) - refer to a group of people or homogenous
societies identified by self-ascription and ascription by others, who have continuously lived as organized community
on communally bounded and defined territory, and who have, under claims of ownership since time immemorial,
occupied, possessed and utilized such territories, sharing common bonds of language, customs, traditions and other
distinctive cultural traits, or who have, through resistance to political, social and cultural inroads of colonization,
non-indigenous religions and cultures, became historically differentiated from the majority of Filipinos. ICCs/IPs
shall likewise include peoples who are regarded as indigenous on account of their descent from the populations
which inhabited the country, at the time of conquest or colonization, or at the time of inroads of non-indigenous
religions and cultures, or the establishment of present state boundaries, who retain some or all of their own social,
economic, cultural and political institutions, but who may have been displaced from their traditional domains or who
may have resettled outside their ancestral domains.

Scope of Protection
Section 32 - Community Intellectual Rights
- ICCs/IPs have the right to practice and revitalize their own cultural traditions and customs. The State shall
presence, protect and develop the past, present and future manifestations of their cultures as well as the right to the
restitution of cultural, intellectual religious, and spiritual property taken without their free and prior informed
consent or in violation of their laws, traditions and customs.

Section 34 - Right to Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices and to Develop own Sciences and
Technologies
- ICCs/IPs are entitled to the recognition of the full ownership and control end protection of their cultural and
intellectual rights. They shall have the right to special measures to control, develop and protect their sciences,
technologies and cultural manifestations, including human and other genetic resources, seeds, including derivatives
of these resources, traditional medicines and hearth practices, vital medicinal plants, animals and minerals,
indigenous knowledge systems and practices, knowledge of the properties of fauna and flora, oral traditions,
literature, designs, and visual and performing arts.

Section 35 - Access to Biological and Genetic Resources

- Access to biological and genetic resources and to indigenous knowledge related to the conservation, utilization and
enhancement of these resources, shall be allowed within ancestral lands and domains of the ICCs/IPs only with a
free and prior informed consent of such communities, obtained in accordance with customary laws of the concerned
community.

III. EXPLAIN
Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS)
- 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 a good values and life stories of people on their daily life
struggles. Their views about nature and their reflections on their experiences in daily life are evident in their
stories, poems, and songs.
- Some examples of indigenous knowledge that are taught and practiced by the indigenous people are:

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 ● 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;

● 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.

Indigenous Science
- According to Gribbin (2001), Mkapa (2004), and Sibisi (2004), as stated by Serafica, Pawilen, Caslib, and Alata
(2018), it is part of the IKS 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 (Pawin, 2005; from Serafica, Pawilen,
Caslib, and Alata, 2018).
- Ogawa (1995), as stated by Serafica, Pawilen, Caslib, and Alata (2018), claimed that it is collectively lived in
and experienced by the people of a given culture.
- Also, according to Cajete (2004), indigenous science includes everything, from metaphysics to philosophy and
various practical technologies practiced by indigenous peoples both past and present.
- Indigenous beliefs also develop desirable values that are relevant or consistent to scientific attitudes as
identified by Johnston (2000):
1. Motivating attitudes
2. Cooperating attitudes;
3. Practical attitudes; and
4. Reflective attitudes.
These cultural beliefs therefor can be good foundation for developing positive values toward learning and doing
science and in bringing science in a personal level.

IV. ELABORATE
Pawilen (2006) 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.

Fig. 4. The Concept of Indigenous Science

INDIGENOUS SCIENCE

uses guided by composed of

Science Processes Community Culture Traditional

Skills and Values Knowledge

- Indigenous science uses science processes skills such as observing, comparing, classifying, measuring, problem
solving, inferring, communicating, and predicting.
- Indigenous science is guided by culture and community values such as:
● The land is 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 nd non-living things are interconnected and interdependent with each other.

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 ● 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.
- Indigenous science is composed of traditional knowledge practiced and valued by people and communities such
as ethnobiology, ethnomedicine, indigenous farming methods, and folk astronomy.

V. EVALUATE

Activity 8

RESEARCH. Pinikpikan is a very common food in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). But how do you
really know this food? Using the guide questions below, do a research on Pinikpikan. You may use the back portions
of this module or other sheet(s) of paper. (50 points)
1. What is Pinikpikan?
2. How do you prepare Pinikpikan? Write all the ingredients and the process of cooking it.
3. Every household in the Cordillera, families have their own way on how to cook Pinikpikan. Give at least 3
varieties of this food and explain their differences.
4. Why do people cook Pinikpikan during a Kanyaw?
5. Is cooking Pinikpikan “animal brutality”? Justify.

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ASSESSMENT

SUMMATIVE TEST
ESSAY. In just two (2) paragraphs (10-12 sentences), explain the following: (50 points)
1. Compare and contrast the science education programs of public school and private schools in the
Philippines. (25 points)

2. How do society and culture (indigenous science) influence the development of science and
technology? (25 points)

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 UNSATISFACTORY SATISFACTORY GOOD EXCELLENT
Main Point The main point of Topic/thesis introduces Topic/thesis Very well
(5 pts.) essay is not clear. the main point, but it creates interest developed
either does not give and is fairly well topic/thesis. It
accurate and complete developed. But engages the reader
information, or it lacks while it contains and creates
detail and creativity. accurate and interest. Contains
complete accurate and
information complete
regarding the main information
point being regarding the main
illustrated, it is not point to be
very engaging. illustrated.
Details/ Details/examples are There are Details/examples Details/examples
Examples either wrong or details/examples, but are clear and in the paragraph
(5 pts.) lacking. they are either unclear presented from are clear and well
or not presented from general to specific, developed, with
general to specific. but they are not multiple points and
well developed. evidence from
general to specific.
Organization/ No logical Organization is clear. Logical progression Logical progression
Structure organization. Some transitions are of ideas. of ideas with a
(5 pts.) Transitions are not present, while others are Transitions are clear structure that
present. either inappropriate or present, but they enhances the essay
missing. do not enhance and provides an
the overall exceptional
effectiveness of illustration of the
the essay. topic with
appropriate and
effective
transitions.
Style: sentence Writing is confusing Writing is clear, but Writing is clear and
flow, tone, and and hard to follow. sentences may lack sentences have Writing is smooth,
word choice. Contains fragments variety. The tone is varied structure. skillful, and
(5 pts.) and/or run-on inconsistent and word There is consistent coherent.
sentences. The tone choice, while adequate, tone and word Sentences are
and purpose is could be better. choice is strong and
inconsistent and appropriate. expressive with
difficult to varied structure.
determine. Consistent and
The word choice is appropriate tone
inadequate. and word choice is
used throughout
the paragraph.
Mechanics Distracting and major A few errors in A few minor errors No errors in
(3 pts.) errors in grammar, punctuation, grammar, in punctuation, punctuation,
punctuation, spelling, spelling, and spelling, grammar, spelling, grammar,
and capitalization. capitalization that. while or capitalization, or capitalization.
distracting, the meaning but they do not

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 and intent of the detract from the
paragraph can still be overall meaning
discerned. and effectiveness
of the paragraph.
Submission/ Missing 4+ of the Missing 3 of the Missing 1-2 of the Contains all of the
Presentation following: following: following: following:
(2 pts.)
Met Deadline Met Deadline Met Deadline Met Deadline
Appropriate Heading Appropriate Heading Appropriate Appropriate
Page requirement Page requirement met 1- Heading Heading
met 1-2 2 Page requirement Page requirement
Typed double spaced Typed double spaced met 1-2 met 1-2
12 point font 12 point font Typed double Typed double
spaced spaced
12 point font 12 point font

REFERENCES:

BOOKS

Prieto, N.G., Vega, V.A., Felipe, E.F., & Meneses, J.L. (2019). Science, technology and society. Metro Manila,
Philippines: LORIMAR Publishing Inc.

Serafica, J.P.J., Pawilen, G.T., Caslib, B.N. & Alata, E.J.P. (2018). Science, technology, and society. 1st ed. Manila,
Philippines: Rex Book Store, Inc.

INTERNET
Barna, M., Tarlach, G., & Scharping, N. (2017). The 10 greatest scientists of all time. Retrieved from
https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/the-10-greatest-scientists-of-all-time on August 25, 2020.

Department of Education (2016). K to 12 curriculum guide: Science. Retrieved from

https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Science-CG_with-tagged-sci-equipment_revised-
pdf on Aug. 28, 2020

Ikenwa, C. (2019). 10 most developed countries in the world (2020). Retrieved from
https://nigerianinfopedia.com.ng/most-developed-countries-in-the-world/ on Aug. 27, 2020

Majaski, C. (2020). What is a developed economy?. Retrieved from

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/developed-economy.asp#:~:text=Standard%20criteria%20for
%20evaluating%20a,the%20amount%20of%20technological%20infrastructure. On Aug, 27, 2020

World Population Review (2020). Developed countries list 2020. Retrieved from
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/developed-countries on Aug. 27, 2020

World Population Review (2020). Least developed countries list 2020. Retrieved from
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/least-developed-countries on Aug. 27, 2020

https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/saint-paul-university-
philippines/bsnursing/lecture-notes/cradles-of-early-science/7779065/view

http://archive.unu.edu/unupress/unupbooks/uu04te/uu04te0g.htm#:~:text=Science%20a
nd%20technology%20are%20expected,national%20security%20and%20social%20stability.&text=In
%20the%20past%2C%20technological%20progress,and%20this%20should%20be%20changed.

https://www.wipo.int/tk/en/databases/tklaws/articles/article_0017.html