By JOEL C. ESCOL, Managing Editor
The 39th edition of the Kadayawan Festival in Davao City, starting from August 9 onwards, marks a spectacular return, celebrating the city’s rich cultural heritage, diverse ethnic groups, and abundant natural resources. This annual event, one of the Philippines’ most significant cultural celebrations, honors Davao’s eleven Indigenous and Moro ethnic groups, showcasing their traditions through a series of vibrant festivities.
The Kadayawan Festival originated in the 1970s under the leadership of Elias B. Lopez, a Bagobo leader and city mayor. Initially, the festival was a series of separate tribal celebrations that highlighted Indigenous and Muslim customs. These diverse rituals were later consolidated into the Unlad Proyekto Davao program in 1986, eventually evolving into what is now known as the Kadayawan Festival. The festival’s name is derived from the Mandaya word “madayaw,” meaning a warm greeting or goodwill, symbolizing the city’s unity and cultural heritage.
Under the guidance of former Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, the festival was institutionalized in 1995, establishing August as the official month of celebration. The Kadayawan Festival honors several iconic symbols of Davao, including Mount Apo, the Philippine eagle, the durian fruit, and the waling-waling orchid. These icons reflect Davao’s natural bounty and the festival’s core essence: celebrating both the city’s treasures and its people, who are considered the true wealth of Davao.
The festival’s key events, such as the Indak-Indak sa Kadayawan (Street Dancing), Pamulak sa Kadayawan (Floral Float Parade), and Hiyas sa Kadayawan (Indigenous Peoples’ Festival), highlight the city’s dynamic spirit. These events are designed to honor the city’s cultural roots while fostering a sense of community among the diverse ethnic groups. The unity and cooperation among Davao’s eleven Indigenous tribes are crucial for the city’s progress and peace, with the festival serving as a platform for these groups to showcase their unique cultural practices.
In addition to the traditional festivities, the 2024 Kadayawan Festival will feature the Ironman 70.3 Davao, adding an exciting new dimension to the celebration. This triathlon event, scheduled for August 11, will challenge athletes with a new course that includes a 1.9 km swim along the Davao City Coastal Road, a 90 km bike ride towards McArthur Highway, and a 21.1 km run back along the coastal road. The event is expected to attract participants from 27 countries, offering age group qualifying slots for the 2025 Ironman event in Marbella, Spain.
The festival also includes the Hiyas sa Kadayawan pageant, where representatives from Davao’s eleven tribes compete based on their knowledge of their culture, cultural skills, personality, and community project proposals. This pageant emphasizes the importance of preserving traditions and cultural heritage, while also encouraging community development.
The 39th Kadayawan Festival in Davao City is a vibrant celebration of cultural diversity, natural beauty, and community spirit. It is an event where locals and visitors alike come together to honor the city’s rich heritage, celebrate its present, and look forward to a future filled with harmony and vibrancy. ###
