Traditional Farming and Its Lexicons as Indigenous Knowledge: The Context of Cervantes, Ilocos Sur

Abstract

The Philippines has long been an agricultural country that uses indigenous farming knowledge before the advent of modern technology. Unfortunately, reviewed studies revealed that many approaches and indigenous rice farming knowledge around the world remain undocumented. In such context, this study was implemented to document the traditional rice farming practices and traditions and their lexicons in Cervantes, Ilocos Sur. Through unstructured interviews and observations, the study identified 13 rice farming practices and nine (9) traditions (three rituals and six pammati or superstitious beliefs) of the farmers. The identified farming practices and traditions emerged from the pre-planting to post-harvest activities of the farmers. Hence, the traditional farming remains strong and is flourishing despite the emergence of modernization in agriculture.