Traditional Knowledge System of Water and Costal Environment for Cultural Resiliency and Sustainable Development in Guimaras

Abstract

Traditional Knowledge System is vital in maintaining stability in the physical, socioeconomic and cultural ecosystem. They provide backgrounds in the operation of human interaction and adaptation to the environment, especially for resources sustainability. This study was conducted to identify water bodies, the traditional method of catching fish and other marines/water resources, its preservation, fishlore, and other practices which have kept the sustainability of the water resources in Guimaras Island. The research design used was qualitative. Most of the fishermen learned from their fathers and grandfathers that the Island is rich with unique features and habituated by equally important organisms. The water bodies surround and within Guimaras, the Panay Gulf (facing Suba Malawig), Visayan Sea, and Guimaras Strait (area of Siete Picados), with major river system Mantangingi, Sibunag, and Cabano. In these fishing grounds locals use baroto “boat” for fishing and traveling, traditional fishing methods of catching fish and other water resources were “ Pangurantayan” used to catch “tabagak” (anchovy), “Pamanggal” used to catch crab, fish and shrimp using circular hand-woven bamboo, “Pang-agihis” method of catching freshwater shell (agihis), “Panangub” method of catching freshwater shrimp, crab “alimango”, and “Pamunit” method of catching fish using “bunit” (Hook) that proved to be sustainable, used by the locals to acquire aquatic resources from the shore down to the sea. Other marines and water resources available were Dugong “sea cows”, Banagan “Lobster”, Lumba-Lumba “Irrawaddy Dolphin”, Pawikan “marine turtles” and Pulang Pasayan “red shrimp” which is believed to be enchanted. A traditional way of fish preservation was common practice in the island known as pamulad “sun drying” to form uga “dried fish” and steamed cooking techniques for crabs. Folklore and beliefs were associated with the sea and other resources were feared species, and precautionary measures like panuob “fumigation ritual” and other fishing rituals are performed for bounty catch before fishing. Some practices related to water and coastal environment of Guimaras Island are tultul-making, the process of producing a solid rock salt tablet, seaweed farming, and salt making. The collection of traditional knowledge of water and coastal environment in Guimaras Island are integral among the locals which have been learned from personal experiences of the elders and handed down to succeeding generation through knowledge transfer which ensure the perpetuation of the resources.