Indigenous knowledge validates new Clerodendrum species long used by Bugkalot people
Original framing: “Modern science catches up with native knowledge with discovery of Clerodendrum kelli” — Phys.org
The Bugkalot people have used Clerodendrum kelli for generations to treat animal ailments, demonstrating an intimate understanding of its medicinal properties. This knowledge is rooted in their ecological worldview and relationship with the land, which is often dismissed as 'folk' or 'traditional' in scientific discourse.
The case of Clerodendrum kelli is emblematic of a broader pattern where Indigenous knowledge is validated and then co-opted by Western science, often without recognition or reciprocity.
The Bugkalot people have long understood the medicinal properties of this plant, yet their knowledge is framed as a 'discovery' by science. This reflects a colonial epistemology that privileges Western taxonomic systems over Indigenous ways of knowing. To address this, scientific institutions must shift from extraction to collaboration, ensuring that Indigenous communities are recognized as co-creators of knowledge. Historical precedents, such as the appropriation of quinine and Ayahuasca, show that this pattern is not new, but it is increasingly being challenged through movements for epistemic justice. By integrating Indigenous knowledge into biodiversity research and education, we can move toward a more just and holistic understanding of the natural world.