Tenth International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society

Abstract

An integral ecology includes care for indigenous communities and their cultural heritage. Pope Francis says “the disappearance of a culture can be just as serious, or even more serious, than the disappearance of a species of plant or animal” (Laudato Si, 145). This research explores the traditional environmental knowledge and the belief system of the indigenous people as a paradigm for an integral ecology. The researcher applied an ethnographic approach to understanding the culture, religious beliefs, and practices of particular groups of indigenous people in the Philippines to unravel the wisdom of myth, legends, signs, and symbols of their rites related to earth and environmental conscientiousness. The study aims to expound the single paragraph of Laudato Si, 146 dedicated to indigenous people as “dialogue partners.” The conversation with the indigenous people must not only happen when their land is being grabbed and when they are experiencing oppression and exploitation. The study takes the indigenous groups as an important source of the academic discussion. It acknowledges them as people of immense cultural heritage where scholars could learn ecological spirituality and a balanced style of life towards earth healing and renewal.