Text by Angelou C. Mendoza

Photo by Prof. Calvin S. de los Reyes

Prof. Ma. Teresa De Guzman discusses the history of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP) at the 4th International Conference on IKSP at Cape Town, South Africa.

Representatives from the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) participated in the 4th International Conference on Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP) themed “Politics of Knowledge,” held on Oct. 22 to 24, 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa. Hosted by the Institute for Social and Health Sciences of the College of Human Sciences, University of South Africa, in cooperation with the Universitas Ahmad Dahlan and the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila, the event highlighted the influence of politics in knowledge production, dissemination, systems, and practices while underscoring the relevance of indigenous knowledge in the educational system and the dismantling of the effects of prevailing dominant structures. 

As one of the partners in the conference, CAS Department of Behavioral Sciences Chair Dindo Café was also the co-organizer on the first day of the program representing UP Manila. With him was Prof. Ma. Teresa De Guzman, who discussed the history and background of the IKSP Conference, which initially began in the Philippines, thereby making UP Manila a part of the event since its inception. 

The CAS representatives presented their respective topics in relation to IKSP: 

• Prof. Café – “Stories as Archive: A Methodological Deconstruction Within the Milieu of Sagrada Familia” and “Symposium: Resilience, Revival and Revitalisation: Harnessing Indigenous Knowledge for Sustainable Futures” 
• Prof. Achanzar-Labor – “Mainstreaming Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices: Rereading Assimilation Strategies for the Higaonon in Iligan and the Tagabawa in Davao”
• Prof. de los Reyes – “Profiling Survey of Traditional and Alternative Healthcare Practitioners in the Philippines” 
• Prof. Dalet – “Empowering Indigenous Practices for Biodiversity Conservation: Lessons from the Philippines”
• Prof. De Guzman – “Harnessing Traditional Wisdom: Re-Indigenising Disaster Risk Management for Resilient Indigenous Communities.”

The 1st International Conference on IKSP, conducted in the Philippines, served as a platform for indigenous advocacy in the country, which involved addressing modern issues including climate change, healthcare, and environmental preservation, incorporating indigenous values of enoughness and interconnectedness with nature. #

The resource speakers for the 4th Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP) from the UP Manila College of Arts and Sciences.

Participants at the 4th IKSP Conference in Cape Town, South Africa