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

Albaris B. Tahiluddin, Abdulgajir H. Ullang Jr, Alfayedie M. Jali, Jaro O. Ajik, Jamrun H. Ebbah & Wahaymin M. Jamil

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

Original article | Acta Natura et Scientia 2023, Vol. 4(1) 10-16

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

Albaris B. Tahiluddin, Abdulgajir H. Ullang Jr, Alfayedie M. Jali, Jaro O. Ajik, Jamrun H. Ebbah & Wahaymin M. Jamil

pp. 10 - 16 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.29329/actanatsci.2023.353.02 | Manu. Number: MANU-2209-30-0004.R1

Published online: February 17, 2023 | Number of Views: 202 | Number of Download: 1836

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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.

Keywords: Badjao, Fisher, Sailor, Traditional weather forecasting, Philippines

How to Cite this Article?

APA 6th edition
Tahiluddin, A.B., Jr, A.H.U., 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, Philippines . Acta Natura et Scientia, 4(1), 10-16. doi: 10.29329/actanatsci.2023.353.02

Harvard
Tahiluddin, A., Jr, A., Jali, A., Ajik, J., Ebbah, J. and Jamil, W. (2023). Traditional Weather Forecasting: Practices of Fishers, Sailors and Old Folks in Tawi-Tawi, Philippines . Acta Natura et Scientia, 4(1), pp. 10-16.

Chicago 16th edition
Tahiluddin, Albaris B., Abdulgajir H. Ullang Jr, Alfayedie M. Jali, Jaro O. Ajik, Jamrun H. Ebbah and Wahaymin M. Jamil (2023). "Traditional Weather Forecasting: Practices of Fishers, Sailors and Old Folks in Tawi-Tawi, Philippines ". Acta Natura et Scientia 4 (1):10-16. doi:10.29329/actanatsci.2023.353.02.

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