Local Corpus and Praxis in Soil Management of the Manobo Tribe in Cotabato, Philippines

Abstract

A study was conducted to document the local knowledge and practices in soil management of the Manobo tribe in Cotabato Province, Philippines. This is to determine the validity of the local corpus with the western knowledge. A total of 145 key informants were selected randomly from various Manobo groups using semi-structured survey questionnaires and field documentation. A prior informed consent (PIC) was sought by the researcher and followed by a consultation dialogue with the tribal leaders, elders and other key person of the study. Manobo tribes were located in the undulating areas of Arakan, Cotabato dominated by the sub- tribes Tinananen and Kulamanen. The Arumanen were in the distant area of Carmen and Libungan while the Obo Manobo and Kidapawanen sub-tribes were situated in Magpet and Makilala, Cotabato. About 32.41percent were tribal chieftains and farming was the prime source of living. Tribal women and children were involved in major farming activities. The farming information was obtained mostly from the tribal elders (88.97%), chieftains (71.72%), and co-tribesmen (54.48%). Most of the farms were marginalized and primarily planted with upland rice, corn and root crops. Farmers practiced rotational system of gathering food, kaingin and fallow period, “tudak” or dibble method of planting, “kompak” system (communal planting), and the use of perception and actual field observation in managing the soils through the biophysical indicators. Most of the informants (88.97%) used local corpus in farming and the 90.34 percent respondents wanted to continue the indigenous knowledge important to preserve the natural resources like water (96.95%), soil (89.31%), and forest trees (85.50%). Fallow period was the known local corpus and praxis of the 78.76 percent informants including the planting of leguminous crops. The identified indigenous corpus and praxis of the Manobo were found scientifically in agreement with modern knowledge hence, considered as relevant, valid and factual.