By Crisdeniele H. Clemente, Stratcom Intern 

To sustain the knowledge systems of indigenous peoples, faculty members of the College of Arts and Sciences, in partnership with the University of Saskatchewan (USask) in Canada, are currently conducting a two-year research project on Ilokano abel weaving. 

With funding from the Commission on Higher Education, five departments of the college are currently studying the abel weaving industry of Paoay, Ilocos Norte in a project titled “Revitalizing the Indigenous Ilokano Culture in Abel Weaving Communities for Sustainable and Inclusive Development through Education.” 

First, the Department of Social Sciences is studying the historical and socio-cultural foundations of Ilokano abel weaving, along with gender-related issues. Prof. Weena G. Franco, DSS chair, and Prof. Leslie Kay R. Corpuz serve as study leaders.

With Prof. Alice Geraldine Hernando, department chair, at the helm, the Biology Department will explore on the relationship of morphometric and genetic patterns of Ilokano Abel weavers and product quality according to thread count measurement.

Moreover, the Department of Mathematics is currently delving on the examination of symmetries and patterns on abel Iluko textiles. Dr. Lawrence A. Eclarin, programs and accreditation chief, is the the study leader.

Further, the Department of Languages and Literature aims to document Abel Iluko literatures. To develop a documentary, a dictionary and a story book, the team is led by Dr. Jan Rich A. Guira, MMSU's director for student affairs and services.

The Department of Physical Education (DPE) is studying the utilization of Ilokano Indigenous dances and games to create knowledge products and services for community development. Prof. Liga Mariya D. Fang-asan serves as the study head.

Dr. Marivic M. Alimbyuguen, CAS dean and the overall project leader, said “the holistic and interdisciplinary research endeavor will not only help grow the literature on indigenous knowledge, but will also be vital in the promotion and development of Ilokano life and industry.” 

The project is under the program titled “Sustaining the Ilokano Culture through Contextualization of Indigenous Knowledge System and Development of Culture-Sensitive and Science-based Platform,” a university-wide project for the Philippine-Canada Education Consortium for International Collaborative Partnership (PhilCanEduCon Magic 7+). 

As the lead institution for the Indigenous Knowledge System and Cultural Management Program, MMSU researchers from the different colleges are currently conducting indigenous knowledge studies.   

International Programs Chief Marlowe Aquino, IKSCM project lead coordinator, explained that other groups are focusing on cultural education, Ilokano cuisine, indigenous health, and agriculture, food and natural resources education. 

Last year, MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis and USask Interim Provost and Vice President Academic Melissa Just virtually signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). “Through this research program, MMSU will come up with innovative products and modern management systems which will are vital in the upliftment of our humanity,” PSCA stressed. (JVBT/APT, StratCom)