Come one, come all to the cultural village

WE are reinforcing our initial invitation yesterday for the residents and visitors alike to visit the cultural village in Magsaysay Park. From just a mere suggestion, we are now saying, YOU MUST GO.

Last Monday’s opening ceremonies of the Kadayawan sa Dabaw 2017 held at the Magsaysay Park underlined what’s in there, and it was magnificent.

All 11 tribes have outdone themselves in showcasing their indigenous architecture, commodities, crafts, and artifacts. It is one whole different experience that you will not easily have access to outside Kadayawan sa Dabaw.

The 11 tribes are not all indigenous to Davao City. They are indigenous to Mindanao, yes, but several are migrants of the city, enticed to settle in because of the peace and order and bounty they found here.

The groups indigenous to Davao are the AtaManobo, Matigsalug, Ovu-Manuvu, Klata-Djangan, and Tagabawa.

The Ata are predominantly in the Paquibato area and the borders of Marilog. The Matigsalugs are mostly residents of Marilog and the borders of Bukidnon and Arakan Valley upstream of Davao River. The Ovu-Manuvu are also around that area, but in the lower slopes nearer Calinan District (Ovu means of the lower land), the Klata Djangan are predominantly from the Calinan and Baguio Districts, while the Tagabawas are from the Toril District approaching the Mt. Apo foothills, the farthest south as Bawa means south.

Of the Islamized tribes, the Kagans are among the original residents mostly residing along coastal areas, although many are from Davao Oriental. The other Islamized tribes are migrants. The Tausugs are from the Zamboanga Peninsula-Sulu-Tawi-tawi areas, the Maguindanao are from Central Mindanao, the Maranao are from Marawi, and the Sama are known nomads of the sea, many also coming from the Zamboanga-Sulu-Tawi-tawi area, while the Iranuns are also from Central Mindanao as originally belonging to the Sultanate of Maguindanao and occupying the areas around the Illana Bay.

They have their own communities scattered all over the 244,000-hectare area of Davao City and are thus difficult to track down, sit down with, and get to know more. The cultural village in Magsaysay Park offers this rare opportunity.

Get to know the different tribes that make Davao City distinct among all other cities, and learn about the peace they have found here.

So, again, we are revising our earlier invitation and are now saying: The cultural village must be in the itinerary of all residents and visitors during this Kadayawan Week.