Preserving Threatened Wisdom in Indigenous Houses as Living Archives: An Ethnographic Study of Spatial, Gendered Knowledge, and Community-Based Preservation Strategies in the Philippines

Authors

• Lalin Abbacan Tuguic, Kalinga State University, PhilippinesFollow

Abstract

This qualitative study explores how Indigenous houses function as living archives of identity, ecological wisdom, and gendered knowledge in Kalinga communities in the Cordillera region of the Philippines. Using an ethnographic design grounded in prolonged engagement and reflexive practice, the research documents how historical experience, social and cultural meanings, environmental adaptation, and community‑based preservation strategies are materially and symbolically embedded in Indigenous house construction and use. Data were generated through participant observation of everyday life and rituals in and around traditional square and octagonal houses; semi‑structured interviews with elders, women, builders, youth, and community leaders; focus group discussions in local languages; document review; and visual documentation of house forms and interior arrangements. Reflexive thematic analysis was employed to identify patterns across talk, practice, and space. Overall, the study argues that Indigenous houses in Kalinga are not simply “old architecture” but living archives through which communities remember, adapt, and preserve who they are. It suggests implications for heritage policy, education, and community practice, and offers a conceptual and methodological framework that may be relevant to other Indigenous and vernacular housing traditions.

Keywords

Indigenous houses, vernacular architecture, ethnography, gendered knowledge, community-based preservation

Author Bio(s)

Lalin Abbacan Tuguic (Corresponding Author; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1915-9842) is a faculty member at Kalinga State University, Philippines, under the Department of Mathematics. Her research primarily focuses on qualitative inquiries in mathematics education, particularly in ethnomathematics, where she explores the intersection of culture, heritage, and mathematical understanding. She is deeply committed to preserving indigenous knowledge systems and cultural heritage through education and research that highlight the mathematical practices embedded in local traditions. Her broader interests include mathematics pedagogy, contextualized learning, and community-based educational initiatives. Through her work, she advocates for integrating culture-responsive approaches in mathematics education to foster both academic excellence and cultural identity among learners. Please direct correspondence to [email protected]

Acknowledgements

The author extends heartfelt gratitude to the Kalinga communities who generously opened their homes, shared their stories, and entrusted their wisdom for this study. Special thanks are given to the elders, women leaders, and local builders whose insights and experiences form the backbone of this research. The author also acknowledges the assistance of local government units and cultural workers in facilitating access to community sites. Appreciation is due to colleagues and mentors who guided the fieldwork and analysis, and to the International Journal on Culture, History, and Religion for offering a space to highlight Indigenous voices. Finally, the author dedicates this work to the next generation of Kalinga youth, in the hope that the wisdom of their ancestors continues to thrive.

Publication Date

10-23-2026

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

Recommended APA Citation

Abbacan-Tuguic, L. (2026). Preserving threatened wisdom in Indigenous houses as living archives: An ethnographic study of spatial, gendered knowledge, and community-based preservation strategies in the Philippines. The Qualitative Report, 31(9), 6616-6634.

ORCID ID

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1915-9842

ResearcherID

0000-0002-1915-9842