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Communicating Indigenous Knowledge and Practices for Sustainable Upland Agriculture in Nueva Viscaya, Philippines.
Abstract:
This study highlighted the potentials of indigenous knowledge and practices of the Kalanguyans/Ikalahans, an indigenous group inhabiting the mountains of Sta. Fe in Nueva Viscaya. It sought to (1) trace communication patterns existing in Kalahan, Sta. Fe, Nueva Viscaya; (2) describe the methods/ways of communication; (3) identify the key actors in the communication process; (4) identify barriers/problems experienced and causes of the problems, and suggest solutions to minimize these problems; (5) elicit from the Ikalahans their perception of indigenous agricultural knowledge and practices (IAKP) in relation to sustainable upland agriculture (SUA); (6) draw out some implications for using IAKP in enhancing SUA; and (7) provide recommendations to serve as guide to future development communication practitioners in utilizing IAKP in communicating SUA.
Respondents consisted mainly of elder Ikalahan farmers from the five barangays covered by the Kalahan Forest Reserve, Inc. The research barangays were Malico, Unib, Imugan, Baracbac, and Bacneng. Cluster, purposive, and snowball sampling techniques were employed to draw the sample respondents of the study. Data were gathered through participant and field observations, key informant interviews/ discussions, unstructured in-depth interviews, records or documentary analyses, tape recording, and photo documentation. An observation diary and logbook was also kept for recording purposes.
Results showed that communication in Kalahan was generally characterized by a closely-knit tribal community, with interwoven networks extending beyond one’s social status. Among the factors determining the degree or intensity of communication relationships included the proximal distance between and among participants (both in terms of residence and swidden location), and the common lineage and ancestral affinity among individuals.
In terms of methods of communication, three general categories can be named in Kalahan: verbal/face-to-face mode, written messages, and occasionally signs and symbols.
Among the key actors identified in the communication process included the sociometric leaders, opinion leaders, bridges, and gatekeepers. Results further revealed that these special roles overlap or interchange as it was found that sociometric leaders were also recognized as opinion leaders, bridges, and to some extent, gatekeepers in Kalahan.
Barriers to communication in Kalahan were predominantly rooted in the poor accessibility in the area, causing delayed communication, non-communication or miscommunication.
In terms of Ikalahan IAKP, enough indicators were shown to reveal that the Kalanguya indigenous knowledge and practices adhere to the principles of sustainable upland farming. The people’s continuous co-existence with the resources in the area projects sufficient evidence that even with the test of time, Ikalahan IAKP could withstand threats, meet challenges, and continue to provide opportunities to future Ikalahan generations.