Tuesday, August 19, 2008 Lumad art, 1kg gold ring opens 23rd Kadayawan fest
THE 23rd Kadayawan sa Dabaw festival has been officially opened Monday at the Museo Dabawenyo with an indigenous peoples visual arts exhibit and a special exhibit of Compostela Valley's gigantic, gold solidarity ring as a sign of its unity with Davao City in its celebration.
Dubbed as "Hulagway sa Kaliwatan," the indigenous exhibit featured outstanding Dabawenyo visual arts groups and individuals.
The Camera Club of Davao, the city's first and oldest organization of photographers, also launched their coffeetable book featuring Davao's beautiful sights and daily occurrences.
The Kadayawan visual arts contest was launched the same morning and winning entries are to be exhibited at Museo Dabawenyo after the festival.
Susan Antepuesto of the Kadayawan's executive committee said there are a total of 65 entries to this year's visual arts competition. Of the 65, nine are from the indigenous people.
She said a total 21 schools also submitted entries to the contest that has two categories -- wall mounted and mixed media.
Judging was held Monday.
The festival grand opening was scheduled at 4 p.m. Monday at the Peoples' Park to showcase in gist what the people can expect throughout the weeklong celebration.
The audience trooped to the Rizal Park right after the festival opening rites for the launching of Lumadnong Kasaulogan or the Indigenous Peoples Festival that includes performance showcases of dance and songs of the tribes.
Themed "Musanay Lumadnong Kagikan, Yutang Kabilin Panalipdan" (Flourishing Indigenous Heritage, Protecting Ancestral Nations), the festival is expected to draw in droves of visitors to Davao City despite travel advisories issued against Mindanao.
This year's celebration is divided into two parts: Lumadnong Kasaulogan or Indigenous Peoples Festival which is the core of the Kadayawan Festival showcasing our indigenous peoples' culture and arts; and Subay sa Lumadnong Kagikan or Contemporary Indigenous-motivated Celebrations which showcases the impact of the indigenous culture and traditions to contemporary artists and communities. (GLP/With GAA)
