Ro Eangit Ag Eawod: The ethno-scientific knowledge, beliefs, and practices of Akeanons on fishery

Abstract

Culture is connected to science. Ethnography was employed to explore the ethno-scientific knowledge, beliefs, and practices of Akeanon fisherfolks in New Washington, Aklan, Philippines. It aims to identify the ethno-scientific knowledge, beliefs and practices of Akeanon fisherfolks that helped them improve their harvest; the physics and astronomical concepts or principles that served as basis or explanation of the knowledge, beliefs, and practices of Akeanon fisherfolks; the implications of the Akeanons' ethno-scientific knowledge, beliefs, and practices in fisheries to ethnoscience, science education in general, and fisheries education; and the information, education and communication material developed using the collected data on Akeanon fisherfolks' ethno-scientific beliefs. The Immersion lasted for a total of 14 days with six participants in New Washington, Aklan who were selected purposively. The study found that Akeanons have a wealth of knowledge about the natural world, including weather, moon phases, water currents, and boat making. This knowledge is supported by scientific concepts such as buoyancy, Archimedes' Principle, drag and resistance, wave mechanics, tides and currents, optics, and mechanical advantage. The study also found that Akeanons' ethno-scientific knowledge has implications for ethnoscience, science education, and fisheries education. Within the domain of ethnoscience, it contributes to the preservation of traditional ecological knowledge, indigenous language and terminology, cultural perspectives, and adaptation to environmental changes. The study culminates in the development of informative and accessible infographics on Ethnoscience in Akeanon Fisherfolks. These infographics serve as a valuable resource, extracting insights from the research to disseminate and raise awareness about the ethno-scientific heritage of Akeanon fisherfolks, fostering a greater appreciation for their unique cultural and scientific contributions in the field of fisheries.