The Kadayawan is one of the most awaited festivals in the country because it showcases the different cultures of the 11 tribes of Davao City. In the past years, the festival was a grand celebration thronged by local and foreign revelers, but visitors are in for a different treat this year. Aside from the 2016 celebration being the longest ever, the local government has decided to promote the reason for the festival, the 11 colorful tribes and thanksgiving for the abundant harvest.
Every year, the dabawenyos and tourists await the grand street parties that they can join, but this year, there will be no more street dancing in the city proper and all official activities must abide with the theme for this year, i.e oneness with the plight of the lumads and the Muslims.
One of the different activities centered on the customs of the indigenous people is the tribal convergence called Panagtagbo, which symbolizes the unity that the city is known for, the harmony between all the 11 tribes and the Christians as well. The city is well-known for the peaceful coexistence of the Christians, lumads and Muslims. Through Panagtagbo, the local government envisions that this good relationship will continue and all the tribes will converge as the years go by.
Another festival highlight is the Dula Kadayawan which features the traditional games of the lumads and Muslims.
Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte said that recognizing the struggles of the lumads and Muslims is the real essence of the festival, despite the simple celebration this year. “If we continue to turn a blind eye to the light of our lumad and Muslim brothers and sisters, Kadayawan will be meaningless,” Duterte said. He said that through this year’s simple celebration the city can show their unity with the travails of the indigenous peoples and Muslims over the past years.
After the city’s pronouncement, the lumads’ joy and excitement shone in their eyes at the thought that “at last we are the main cast.” For years, they joined the celebration, parading their costumes and culture with pride and honor, but this year everything will be all about them, and yes, they will be the stars.
But beyond the attention that the city government has given them for this year’s celebration, the meaning of the Kadayawan festival for the 11 tribes will always be the same every year. For Datu Mohammad Buhisan of the Maguindanao tribe, the Kadayawan festival helps them preserve their culture. “If not for Kadayawan, we might have forgotten our culture,” he said.
Buhisan explained that because of Western influence on many of the tribes, most of the younger generation have forgotten their own traditions. He said that through Kadayawan they keep their identity and culture alive to their children.
Meanwhile, for Datu Rody Mandi of the Matigsalog tribe, the Kadayawan festival assures them that they are now accepted by the Christian community. “Kadayawan helps us by boosting our confidence. For us it is the nation’s way of saying that it is accepting us for who we are, we are free to live with other Filipinos,” Mandi said.
According to councilor Al-Ryan Alejandre, “we really inspire the tribes to showcase and promote their music, dance, arts and way of life.” He said that the festival will remind the tribes that the City will always be thankful for their presence, for sharing their culture and protecting the environment.
For Kadayawan Chairperson Arturo Boncato Jr., the festival is the soul of Davao City. “The peaceful image of Davao City can be connected to the unity of the 11 tribes living here. There is no quarrel between them, even the Christians have a harmonious relationship with them,” he said.
The Kadayawan festival is not just about showcasing the exotic beauty of every tribe here in the city, but also to pay their respect to the ancestors who kept the environment clean and abundant. Davao City is not just about durian, Mt. Apo, waling-waling and peace and order, it is also about the beauty of every dabawenyo who respect differences in culture and conserve the beauty of nature. Throughout the year and not just during the festival, the city has lived its mantra. Truly, ‘‘Life is Here.’’