KADAYAWAN Festival director Gatchi Gatchalian said this year’s activities will be more interactive than last year.
“Aside from boasting this year’s Kadayawan festival to be bigger, we wanted it to be more engaging for Dabawenyos and tourists alike,” Gatchalian said during the Ispeak Forum at the Davao City Hall Thursday, July 12.
One of the activities is the Dula sa Kadayawan, where visitors and tourists can take part in the tribal games. The event showcases the indigenous and Moro games from the 11 tribes in Davao City, highlighting their recreational traditions.
“Since there are a lot of foreigners who come to witness Dula sa Kadayawan, this time they will not just be taking pictures of the games, but they are allowed to join and to participate,” Gatchalian said.
He said through this, tourists and Dabawenyos will have a more memorable Kadayawan Festival experience because they can actively be involved in the games.
With this participation from the visitors, the Kadayawan festival committee responsible for the indigenous games will make modifications.
“Imagine a foreigner playing Kadang-Kadang, but for it to be safer because these games are new to our visitors, we have already organized in creating ways for the game to be easier for our visitors,” Gatchalian said.
This year’s Pamulak sa Kadayawan is also more interactive.
“This year, we are talking with festival partners wherein Dabawenyos can actually ride into the float,” Gatchalian said.
The Kadayawan Festival committee is still finalizing the mechanics on the experiential ride.
Gatchalian hopes that through these additions in the Kadayawan festival, visitors and Dabawenyos would not only be entertained but also be educated on the rich culture of the 11 tribes.
“Others see the festival as just a form of entertainment, but what people are missing is the story behind Kadayawan, which is a thanksgiving festival, and that this is in honor of our eleven indigenous groups,” Gatchalian added.