Dabawenyos laud Kadayawan fest

DABAWENYOS lauded the recently-concluded 31st Kadayawan sa Dabaw week-long celebration held August 15 to 22.

Despite the scorching heat, student-journalist Joanne Yap savored the day and took it as an opportunity to know more about the city’s different cultures.

“Seeing how united the rural and urban people of Davao City are, makes Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan my favorite part of the celebration,” she said.

This year’s floral float parade, however, is apparently the people’s most favorite. Among the icons most extensively used were the Durian, the Philippine Eagle, and even Duterte’s famous “fist for change”.

Sybel Lu, 21, said she enjoyed the Hiyas ng Kadawayan the most having watched it for the first time.

“We don’t usually give attention to these tribes on a daily basis and through this, I got to appreciate them even more,” she said.

Kadayawan, a festival celebrating bountiful harvest, lined up several events that drew large number of both local and foreign visitors. It also showcased colorful and rich cultures of several Indigenous Peoples (IPs).

The events that were staged were Kinabuhi (Life) - A Photo Exhibit, Tribuhanong Pasundayag (Cultural Show, Dula sa Kadayawan (Indigenous and Muslim Tradidtional Games), Hiyas sa Kadayawan (Gem of Kadayawan), Subang Sinugdanan (Tribal Fluvial Parade), Indak-indak sa Kadalanan (Street Dancing Competition), Pamulak sa Kadayawan (Floral Float Parade.

These events were participated by the 11 different tribes namely Ata, Bagobo-Tagabawa, Iranun, Ovu-Manobo, Matigsalog, BagoboKlata, Maranao, Sama, Kagan, Tausug, and Maguindanaon.

The Kadayawan sa Dabaw offers an opportunity for visitors from different parts of the country to learn more about Davao’s rich culture, which makes it highly anticipated and the most-attended festival among all.