UNIT 3.3_Indigenous Science and Technology

• Indigenous knowledge - is the unique knowledge confined to a particular culture or society. It refers to the understandings, skills and philosophies developed by societies with long histories of interaction with their natural surroundings.
• For rural and indigenous people. It is also known as:

  • Local knowledge
  • Folk knowledge
  • People’s knowledge
  • Traditional wisdom
  • Traditional science
• Indigenous science - relies upon direct observation for forecasting and generating predictions; it’s power lies in its ability to make connections and perceive patterns across vast cycles of space and time.
• Indigenous scientists - are trained in various specializations such as herbalism, weather observations, mental health, and time keeping, and there are tests to ensure IS validity.
• Indigenous Science

  • SCIENCE PROCESS SKILLS
  • COMMUNITY CULTURE AND VALUES
  • TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE
• Indigenous science - uses science process skills such as observing, comparing, classifying, measuring, problem solving, inferring, communicating, and predicting.
• Ethno-biology - The scientific study of the way living things are treated or used by different human cultures. It studies the dynamic relationship between people, biota, and environments, from the past to the present
• Ethno-medicine - The study of comparison of the traditional medicine based on bioactive compounds in plants and animals and practiced by various ethnic groups, especially those with little access to western medicines.
• Indigenous farming methods - Methods to sustain productivity of land
• Folk astronomy - Creating stories about astronomical phenomena
• Indigenous science - gave birth to the development of science and technology as a field and as a discipline. Helped the people in understanding the natural environment and in coping with everyday life
• Indigenous technologies - refer to the outcomes produced by studying indigenous sciences.
• EXAMPLES OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE

  1. Observation of the Environment to Predict and Prevent Landslides
  2. Annedda tree
  3. Sambong Leaves
  4. Anino
  5. Acupuncture
  6. Farming System of Cordillera’s Ifugao’s: Payoh, Muyung and Uma
  7. Zai Pit System
  8. Seaweeds Farming
  9. Fermentation
  10. Volcanic Eruption
  11. Pambabatok
  12. Etag
  13. Coconut oil
  14. Bamboo Drip Irrigation System
  15. Bark of a Willow Tree
  16. Aspirin
  17. Rice-Fish Co-Culture System
  18. Food Fermentation and Preservation
  19. Water Harvesting
• Observation of the Environment to Predict and Prevent Landslides - landslides are most likely to occur if sacred trees (ai-lulik) are cut and sacred stones (fatuk-lulik) are destroyed. The physical structure of soil is fragile when there are no stones and tree roots to secure the ground.
• Annedda tree - The herbal medicine used as instrument for pharmacological development. Indigenous people in North America helped newcomers to cure scurvy using conifer-needle tonics (Annedda tree) that were rich in vitamin C.
• Sambong Leaves - is a traditional medicine as a treatment for fever, cough, headache, boils, and abdominal pain. It also treats urinary tract infections and reduce high blood pressure.
• Anino - This covers everything from cancer healing plants to natural ways to help a common cold. The leaves of this particular plant can be used to take away the pain of headaches while the fruit has cancer healing properties.
• Acupuncture - is a form of treatment that involves inserting very thin needles through a person's skin at specific points on the body, to various depths. Originated in China. It is a technique in which practitioners stimulate specific points on the body, usually by inserting thin needles through the skin.
• Farming System of Cordillera’s Ifugao’s: Payoh, Muyung and Uma - The Ifugaos of Cordillera. Indigenous Knowledge System Technologies and Practices: Farming System. Evolutionary Changes and Problems
• Zai Pit System - Zai holes or Tumbukiza/roof/ gardens/ circle gardens/vertical gardens. “Zai” is a term that farmers in northern Burkina Faso use to refer to small planting pits. Traditional land rehabilitation to rehabilitate degraded drylands and to restore soil fertility to the benefit of farmers living in drylands.
• Seaweeds Farming - The development objective of this project is to contribute to the improvement of the socio-economic conditions of fishing community’s dependent on coastal fisheries for livelihood by developing alternative employment and income opportunities through diversification of (). This activity would divert fishing to farming, thus, reduce fishing effort on the overfished coastal fishery resources
• Fermentation - A natural process through which microorganisms like yeast and bacteria convert carbs such as starch and sugar into alcohol or acids. The alcohol or acids act as a natural preservative & give fermented foods a distinct zest and tartness. Promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria, known as probiotics
• Volcanic Eruption - Animal behavior changes (rats, snakes, crabs, goats)
• Pambabatok - A tattooing technique of the Butbut Tribe in the Philippines
• Etag - Native’s traditional way of preserving pork
• Coconut oil - Lessens the pain of the body due to its soothing oil that penetrates the skin.
• Bamboo Drip Irrigation System - Is a 200-year-old system of tapping stream and spring water by using bamboo pipe and transporting water from higher to lower regions through gravity.
• Bark of a Willow Tree - A symbolic medicinal plant. It is chemically known as acetylsalicylic acid or salicylate. It has been used for centuries as a pain reliever. The main pharmacologically active ingredient of willow is the “salicin” structure
• Aspirin - pain reliever. It is known as a salicylate and a non steroidal anti inflammatory drug (NSAID). Essential in the pharmacological development. It is used to reduce fever and relieve mild to moderate pain from conditions such as muscle aches, toothaches, common cold, and headaches. It may also be used to reduce pain and swelling in conditions such as arthritis.
• Rice-Fish Co-Culture System - farming technique for over 1,200 years in south China (Qingtian, Zhejiang Province). "globally-important agricultural heritage system," by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. Economic benefits - net proceeds. Beneficial to farmers. Boosts their tourism. Public Health benefits. Environmental benefits. Mutualism is defined as an interaction between individuals of different species that results in positive (beneficial) effects on per capita reproduction and/or survival of the interacting populations
• Food Fermentation and Preservation - Since ancient times in every civilization, it is to prolong the foods and stock it.
• Water Harvesting - Redirection and productive use of rainfall. It involves collecting water from rooftops, swollen streams and rivers or from constructed catchments. It also ensures that farmers have enough amount of water stored in case of limited rainfall or shortness supply of water