Traditional Weather Forecasting: Practices of Fishers, Sailors and Old Folks in Tawi Tawi-Tawi, Philippines

Authors

  • Albaris Beteh Tahiluddin Mindanao State University-Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography, College of Fisheries, Sanga-Sanga, Bongao, 7500, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3237-3552
  • Abdulgajir H. Ullang Jr. Mindanao State University-Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography, College of Fisheries, Sanga-Sanga, Bongao, 7500, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1793-3427
  • Alfayedie M. Jali Mindanao State University-Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography, College of Fisheries, Sanga-Sanga, Bongao, 7500, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7832-9592
  • Jaro O. Ajik Mindanao State University-Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography, College of Fisheries, Sanga-Sanga, Bongao, 7500, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3014-3400
  • Jamrun H. Ebbah Mindanao State University-Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography, College of Fisheries, Sanga-Sanga, Bongao, 7500, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6784-6989
  • Wahaymin M. Jamil Mindanao State University-Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography, College of Fisheries, Sanga-Sanga, Bongao, 7500, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7812-2628

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29329/actanatsci.2023.353.02

Keywords:

Badjao, Fisher, Sailor, Traditional weather forecasting, Philippines

Abstract

Weather forecasting using traditional methods in the province of Tawi-Tawi, Philippines, is an important indigenous knowledge and is heavily applied to predict the weather in preparation for fishing and sailing and also for disaster prevention. Here, we documented the practices of the local people of Tawi-Tawi, situated in the southern Philippines, in forecasting weather using traditional methods. The informants of the study were fishers/Badjaos (n=15), sailors/boat captains (n=15) and old folks (n=15), which were interviewed at the Chinese Pier, Bongao, located in Tawi-Tawi, Philippines. Results revealed that traditional knowledge/methods using atmospheric (clouds, wind, temperature, and visibility), astronomical (sun and moon) and biological (seagrasses/algae, ants, birds, bees, and earthworms) indicators were used to forecast weather, which generally predicts an incoming rainy season as well as adverse weather (typhoons and floods). This study indicates that traditional weather forecasting is still used by the local people of Tawi-Tawi crucial for fishing and sailing activities.

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Published

2023-02-17

How to Cite

Tahiluddin, A. B., Ullang Jr., A. H., Jali, A. M., Ajik, J. O., Ebbah, J. H., & Jamil, W. M. (2023). Traditional Weather Forecasting: Practices of Fishers, Sailors and Old Folks in Tawi Tawi-Tawi, Philippines. Acta Natura Et Scientia, 4(1), 10–16. https://doi.org/10.29329/actanatsci.2023.353.02

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 1 (2023)

Section

Original Research Papers

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Copyright (c) 2023 Albaris Beteh Tahiluddin, Abdulgajir H. Ullang Jr., Alfayedie M. Jali, Jaro O. Ajik, Jamrun H. Ebbah, Wahaymin M. Jamil

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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