AFTER Davao City Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte hits the gong three times, Kadayawan sa Dabaw, dubbed as the festival of all festivals, officially opens on August 15, 2022.
“The celebration of the Kadayawan Festival is our way of honoring the 11 tribes of Davao City, which is why after two years we are excited to finally be able to enjoy the Kadayawan festivities in person na gyud (face-to-face). As one united community let us celebrate the bountiful harvest, diverse stories, and heritage of Davao City,” Duterte said during the Pag-abli program of the festival on August 15, 2022, at the Bantawan Amphitheater, Magsaysay Park, Davao City.
The Kadayawan events first kicked off on August 5, 2022 with the Kadayawan Tribal Village opening at the Magsaysay Park participated by the 11 tribes in Davao City namely Ata, Klata, Tagabawa, Ovu Manuvu, Matigsalog comprising the lumad peoples, then the Moro groups consisting of the Tausug, Sama, Iranun, Maguindanaoan, Maranao, and the Kagan.
On the same day, the 3D Mapping was held at the City Hall of Davao, while the Hiyas ng Kadawayan Cultural Presentation (Talent Night) was held at the Bantawan Amphitheater, Magsaysay Park on August 6, 2022.
Meanwhile, Duterte invited Dabawenyos to witness the upcoming events for the month-long celebration of Kadayawan.
On August 16, 18, 19, and 20, 2022 the Bantawan, a “cultural convergence through the 11 cultural communities of Davao City”, is set to be staged at the Bantawan Amphitheater at Magsaysay Park at 3 p.m.
The much awaited Hiyas sa Kadayawan will have its coronation night on August 17, 2022 at the RMC Petro Gazz Arena at 6 p.m.
Other events that will be held at the Bantawan Amphitheater in Magsaysay Park are Sayaw Kadayawan on August 17, 2022 at 9 a.m.; Agong Kulintangan sa Kadayawan on August 20 to 21 at 1 p.m.; and Tambayayong sa Kadayawan on August 21, 2022 at 6 p.m.
On the other hand, the major events of this year’s celebration will be staged at the San Pedro Square: Indak indak sa Kadayawan on August 20, 2022 at 6 a.m., Pamulak sa Kadayawan and Pitik Kadayawan on August 21, 2022 at 6 a.m. On August 19, Dula Kadayawan is set at the People’s Park at 8 a.m.
“It’s important to understand the culture where they come from and where they are going. I’ve seen the festival and [should] celebrate success even in the times of Covid [19],” BN Radebe-Netshitenzhe, South African Ambassador to the Philippines, said in an interview with SunStar Davao on August 15, 2022. KSD