Mythologies of the Kadayawan Tribes

 


Every Kadayawan sa Dabaw, the 11 ethnolinguistic tribes of Davao City. 

Bagobo Klata
Ata
Obo Manuvu
Matigsalug
Bagobo-Tagabawa
Tausug
Sama
Marano
Maguindanaon
Iranun
Kagan

Kadayawan Festival is from the friendly Dabawenyo greeting, “madayaw,” which means good, beautiful. The annual August revelry used to be known as “Apo Duwaling,” which was first celebrated in 1986. Apo Duwaling is coined combining three iconic figures of Davao: Mt. Apo, Durian and Waling-Waling. The Kadayawan is a festival of life, thanksgiving for the gifts of nature, the rich culture, and of bountiful of harvest. It was in 1970 when the Davao Mayor Elias Lopez encouraged the 11 tribes of Davao to showcase their thanksgiving ritual. We wanted a Kadayawan that would not only pay tribute to its roots, that is a thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest but to put it in the present context a thanksgiving for good health and life.


The Kadayawan Village features the standard houses of the 11 tribes of Davao City, namely the Bagobo-Klata, Ata, Obu-Manuvu, Tagabawa, Matigsalug, Klata-Djangan, Tausog, Maguindanao, Iranun, Maranao, and Kagan. Each home is designed to reflect the unique culture and traditions of the tribe it represents. Visitors can learn in regards to the tribe’s lifestyle, beliefs, and practices by exploring the homes. The Kadayawan Village is integral to the Kadayawan Festival, an annual Thanksgiving celebration for bountiful harvests, life, and culture. The village comes alive in the course of the festival with colourful performances, music, and dances. Visitors can witness the colourful culture of the Lumad and Moro tribes through the festival’s various events.

The Kadayawan Festival is an annual festival in the city of Davao in the Philippines. The festival is a celebration of life, a thanksgiving for the gifts of nature, the wealth of culture, the bounties of harvest and serenity of living. The festival was previously known as Apo Duwaling Festival, named after three icons of Davao; Mount Apo, durian, and the waling-waling orchid. Previously, this festival was held in the third week of August every year which was highlighting the 11 tribes of Davao City. In 2019, the celebration was extended and held from 2 to 31 August. In 2020, Kadayawan Festival was celebrated from 10 to 17 August. One of the highlights of the Kadayawan Festival is the Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan, which translates to street dancing. This is a showcase of the diverse indigenous cultures of the region. The festivities feature different communities in Mindanao dancing in vibrant costumes that highlight their indigenous heritage.








Kadayawan is a festival in Davao City held by the local people to show gratitude to nature for life and thanksgiving for the good harvest they have received. Kadayawan comes from the word “madayaw,”  in Mandaya, which means “treasured” or “valuable.” In Tagalog, the name means “gratitude and appreciation.” For a long time throughout history, the 11 ethnic tribes in Davao would come together to celebrate the abundant crops they received that year. They would show their thanks by displaying fruits, vegetables, rice, flowers, and corn grains on the mats of their houses. Accompanying the displays would be songs, dances, and celebrations. 

The Kadayawan Festival is a showcase of the diverse ethnic tribes and groups in the region, including the Ata, Kagan, Iranun, Maranao, Klata, Tausug, Lumad, Matigsalug, Bagobo-Tagabawa, Maguindanaon, and many more. The festival celebrates the bounties of harvest and the gifts of nature. It is a time to give thanks for the abundance of crops and the blessings of the land. The festival is also a celebration of unity and diversity. It is an opportunity for people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds to come together and celebrate their shared traditions. The Kadayawan Festival is a reminder of the rich cultural heritage of the indigenous people of Mindanao. It is a celebration of their unique traditions, customs, and beliefs. The festival is an opportunity to preserve and promote their cultural identity and to showcase their contributions to Philippine culture. The festival celebrates the Moro groups, ethnolinguistic tribes, and indigenous people of Mindanao. It is a time to honor their resilience, courage, and strength in the face of adversity. The festival is a reminder of their important role in shaping the history and culture of the Philippines.

Kadayawan Festival is one of the major festivals in the Philippines celebrated every third week of August in Davao City. This festival is a tribute to nature and the cultural heritage of the city’s indigenous tribes. It started as a celebration of abundant harvest among the different tribes in Davao. The indigenous people would offer their bountiful harvests to appease their deities, giving thanks for their blessings. The festival was originally called Apo Duwaling, named after Davao’s iconic fruit trees – the Durian, Waling-waling orchid, and Mount Apo, the highest peak in the Philippines. It was later renamed as Kadayawan Festival in 1988 by then Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.  The name Kadayawan is derived from the Mandaya word “madayaw,” which means treasured or valuable. It symbolizes the gratitude of the Davaoeños towards abundant blessings and their celebration of life.

Kadayawan Village is a cultural hub located in Davao’s Ramon Magsaysay Park, where visitors can experience the rich and diverse culture of the Philippines. The village is an initiative by the Davao City Tourism Office to protect and preserve the country’s beautiful and colorful culture for future generations. It showcases the traditional homes of the Lumad and Moro groups and the 11 ethnolinguistic tribes of Davao City. Kadayawan Village is not only a cultural attraction but also a symbol of peace and unity among the different tribes of Davao City. It is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in learning about the rich history and traditions of the Philippines. The village offers an authentic cultural encounter that allows visitors to immerse themselves in the diverse heritage of Davao’s indigenous tribes.









































































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