Traditional Knowledge System of Arable and Habitable Terrains of the Province of Guimaras

Abstract

Traditional knowledge played a critical role in farming systems in the past. People relied on what the environment could only offer, making practices sustainable. It is essential to recognize and document the practices of the past generations as this helps attain agricultural sustainability. Hence, the study on the traditional knowledge system of arable and habitable terrains of Guimaras was conducted to determine the rituals, beliefs, and practices related to farming, sustainable farming techniques, practices, access, utilization, conservation of land and its resources. Traditional knowledge and relevant data are obtained directly through interviews, communications, observations, taking images, recordings, etc., from the communities themselves. Primary commodities considered in the study were suha (calamansi), kasoy (cashew), paho (mango), rice and coconut. Documented traditional knowledge on suha (calamansi) production includes paghunol (marcotting), pag-arado kag pagpakaras (plowing and harrowing), paminhi, planting of hunol, pag-abono, mulching, paghilamon (weeding), pagkapon (pruning), pest and disease management, flower management, pagdugos (harvesting), marketing, and intercropping. Suha production is partially inorganic, and mulching creates a big impact on sustainability. Traditional practices in kasoy (cashew) production also include palutaw/ palutawon, seed color, and deshelling. Processing cashew can be in the form of salted nut and bandi, which have a high market value. Further, traditional practices on mango production include paaso (smudging), paglabo sa puno (hacking), traditional way of determining flower and fruit indices, climbing techniques such as palawa, use of bamboo ladder. Furthermore, traditional practices in rice include buray and linas. Threats in practicing buray includes, soil erosion, strong winds, stray animals and drought. Additionally, traditional coconut production practices have pagpananggot and pinarak using buri palm. Pagpananggot is still practiced in few rural areas in Guimaras and is a source of tuba and vinegar for rural community.