Indigenous Knowledge Systems

INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS

by Antonio C. Antonio

October 29, 2014

Indigenous Knowledge systems generally refer to knowledge systems embedded in the cultural traditions of indigenous or local communities.

Earlier this year, I read a book “Ecosystems and Human Well-Being: Current State and Trends”.  In Chapter 24, Mountain System – Social and Economic Conditions, the book is also full of generalizations.  “The statement that “mountain areas are perceived as economically backward and culturally inferior” does not seem to be accurate.  Of course, for safe measure, the authors also stated: “But there are some exceptions.”  In the Philippine setting, I would readily agree that mountain areas are “economically backward” but would seriously disagree that upland communities are “culturally inferior.” (Antonio, 2014, “Author’s Prudence”, http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/2014/06/authors-prudence.html)  The authors seem to have accepted this inaccurate worldview or perception.

To understand the dynamics of upland life from that of the lowland, I also researched and wrote another blog entitled “God and the Forest” (http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/2014/04/god-and-forest.html) where I wrote the following:

“Most upland dwellers revere the forest as spiritual and sacred.  It will not be hard to understand this since the forest provides them with means of survival… food, shelter and a venue to congregate, socialize and interact with others.  Their culture and spiritual beliefs are moulded by their forest environment and landscape.  There are some who would even say (individually or collectively) that the forest is regarded as their god, their heaven, their world and their religion.  If we were to consider the spiritual beliefs of the upland forest dwellers as a contextual framework, a view takes shape that God and the forest are closely related... or, at the very least, viewed on the same spiritual plane.

We are, at this point, just about ready to get lost in this confusing collage of words and word meanings.  Perhaps, the best way out is to make assumptions.  So going back to Mr. Muir’s statement (“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.”) and fusing this with the spiritual beliefs of the upland forest dwellers, it is quite possible that the word “universe” could very well mean “God” and the “forest wilderness” means “the world we live in.”  This is also consistent with the core religious beliefs of the upland forest dwellers that there is no significant difference between their God (the provider) and the forest (the provider as well).

Upland forest dwellers are no different from their brothers who live in the lowland plains when it comes to spirituality and religious beliefs.  In fact, the presence of much more socio-economic and political activities and problems in the plains provide more distractions than the simple lifestyle of the upland dwellers.  These activities and problems oftentimes weaken their religious beliefs and devotions too.  The simplicity of upland forest life provides for simple mindsets such as the relationship between God and the forest.”

Having stated all of these, it will be easy to establish that both upland and lowland communities have a traditionally accepted indigenous knowledge systems.  These indigenous knowledge systems, however, may significantly differ primarily because of environment and technological influences.  I should add that cultural and traditional belief and knowledge system in the upland is stronger and more profound.  This is because of lesser technological influences.  Dr. Felix Librero (1999) wrote: “Indigenous knowledge systems contain beliefs that strongly influence the behaviour of local communities with regard to the environment.”

There are customs and practices in the upland communities which will take several generations to change such as an indigenous knowledge system.

Just my little thoughts…

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