Iraya Mangyan - Climate Knowledge

Traditional climate knowledge (TCK) is the “indigenous peoples’ collective knowledge about the sky, land, and sea that are passed on throughout generations.” It serves as the foundation for adaptation and mitigation strategies and could provide basis for more effective climate change coping strategies.

The Iraya Mangyan, those particularly residing in Sitio Hinugasan, Brgy. Harrison, Paluan, Occidental Mindoro observe weather and climate information from the objects around them. Weather disturbances like tropical cyclones can be forecasted by plants while droughts can be seen in animals’ behavior.

Trees

When a big tree on a very calm day is uprooted, it means there will be a forthcoming storm. According to the Iraya Mangyan, the trees are sad when a storm is coming and can be seen by the stillness of the trees’ leaves even if they’re being blown by the wind.

The Iraya will know the best time for kaingin when the Balinawnaw tree (Lepisanthes fruticosa) starts to have flowers.

They will also know the beginning of the rainy season when the Santol tree bears fruit.

When the Tan-ag tree (Kleinhovia hospita) bears flowers, the commencement of the dry season is at hand.

Animal sounds

The sound of the common house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus), locally known as Tuko, tells them it is a new moon without the need to look at the night sky.

The Iraya Mangyan say the Philippine deer (Rusa marianna) rarely makes noise. When it wheezes or bleats at nighttime, it signals a shift in local weather. It means that when it rained during the daytime and they hear the deer bleat during the night, the next day would be sunny. When the deer is noisy, it is a sign that amihan is already in.

The sound of the Philippine Pitta (Erythropitta erythrogaster), or Leuko, signifies a downpour.

Rainbow, Rituals, and Chickens

Rainbow

The next day's weather can be predicted by the thickness of the rainbow colors. When the red color is thicker than the blue color, the following day is dry and hot. If the blue color is thicker than red, rain is expected the next day.

Rituals

By the end of the year, older Irayas would gather 8 grains of rice, 8 corn kernels, 8 vegetable seeds (commonly squash and gourd), 8 grains of salt and 8 one-peso coins. They would be arranged in a large plate and be placed in a wooden box, preferably under the bed. By January 1, the objects’ arrangement will be compared with their original positions the night before. If the coins moved, it means money will be easier to find for that year. If the rice grains and corn kernels moved, there will be a bountiful harvest. If the salt is dissolved, the year would be wet.

Chicken’s eating habits

The normal waking hours of the chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) is known by the Iraya Mangyan. Thus, when the chickens wake up earlier than expected to look for food, it indicates an incoming drought.

Applications and Use of Traditional Climate Knowledge

The TCK played an important role in the survival of the Iraya Mangyan. It has helped them forecast the local weather and climate, storms, and droughts in the past. Furthermore, it helped them have enough produce from their kaingin and adapt from the effects of climate change.

TCK in surviving natural disasters.

The Mangyan communities are less vulnerable to typhoons due to their climate coping strategies, mastered through the years. By looking at leaves of the trees, they would know the onslaught of a storm will happen within the next two to three days. They would right away tie their house to big trees for support since their houses are made of light materials. Their permanent choice of settlement – an area surrounded by mountains to shield them from strong winds – is proof of wise usage of TCK.

TCK in augmenting food security.

Through traditional rituals, the Iraya Mangyan were able to predict whether corn and rice produce from their kaingin will be good enough for the year. Furthermore, their TCK on shifts in local weather have influenced their decision on their kaingin. Trees have served as calendars and clocks that tell them the best time for kaingin. Chicken behavior would alert them of drought.

TCK in offsetting climate change impacts.

Their TCK helps them adapt to the impacts of climate change, making them less susceptible to climate change.

Sources

Literary Source

Caparoso, J., L. Evangelista, and V. Quinones. 2018. "The Use of Traditional Climate Knowledge by the Iraya Mangyans of Mindoro." Paper presented at The 2nd International Research Conference on Teacher Education and Indigenous Peoples Education, Subic, Zambales, Philippines, March 2018. http://chinakxjy.com/downloads/V19-2018-1/V19-2018-1-12.pdf

Image Sources

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Co, Leanardo L. Image of Sapindaceae Lepisanthes fruticosa. 2011. http://www.phytoimages.siu.edu/imgs/benctan/re/Sapindaceae_Lepisanthes_fruticosa_25550.html

Garg, J.M. Bola - Kleinhovia hospita in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Digital image. Wikimedia Commons. August 4, 2007. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fruit_I_IMG_9205.jpg.

Kolosova, Yulia. These geckos live near human dwellings and feed on night insects attracted by light . Digital image. Wikimedia Commons. April 19, 2019. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Successful_cockroach_hunting_of_the_common_house_gecko_(Hemidactylus_frenatus).jpg.

Kumar, Davinder. Phlippines' indigenous tribes strive to save their forest, communities. August 9, 2011. Thomson Reuters Foundation. https://news.trust.org/item/20110809103000-z0yw9.

Oracion, Jean Henri. Blue-breasted Pitta Erythropitta erythrogaster. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. Accessed August 22, 2021. https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/rebpit1/cur/introduction.

"Santol (Sandoricum koetjape)," Sow Exotic, accessed August 25, 2021, https://sowexotic.com/products/santol-sandoricum-koetjape.

The Friends of the Boston Harborwalk. Joshua Winer's mural depicts indigenous Massachusett women and men engaged in seasonal encampment activities during the pre-Colonial era. Digital image. KCRW. Accessed August 22, 2021. https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/life-examined/land-ownership-indigenous-sacred-places/mishuana-goeman-interview-traditional-what-is-ecological-knowledge.

"To see how rainbows are formed, try a simple experiment. Go outside during a sun-drenched rain and look out toward the storm," Popular Science, accessed August 22, 2021, https://www.popsci.com/how-rainbows-form/

Yan, Gregg. A male Rusa marianna (formerly Cervus mariannus), the endangered Philippine deer found on the outskirts of Davao. Digital image. Wikimedia Commons. March 24, 2012. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rusa_marianna_by_Gregg_Yan.jpg.