IT'S that time of the year again when the streets of Davao City are filled, not only with heavy traffic but also with locals and tourists wearing their smiles, as the Kadayawan Festival is on a roll for the 38th time.
Kadayawan gained popularity as it highlights the bountiful harvest for the people of Davao City including the Lumad, Moro, and Christians.
In a column from Muss Lidasan, the festival's origins are linked to the Lumad of Kidapawan, North Cotabato province.
Back in the 1970s, the indigenous peoples of Cotabato began celebrating the Kalibongan Festival through the Mindanao Highlanders Association (Mindahila), fostering unity among the
indigenous peoples. From Kidapawan, the group requested to hold the tribal gathering in Davao City.
But more than anything else, the festival is rooted in the time when the province of Davao celebrated thanksgiving with no tribal borders.
The festival’s origins can also be traced back to the 1970s when Elias B. Lopez of Bagobo descent and city mayor at that time, founded few tribal festivals which highlighted thanksgiving rituals and ceremonies of the indigenous and Muslim group of Mindanao.
In 1986, the Davao City government focused on uniting the people in the turbulent times of martial law.
This group of festivals was united into one under the program Unlad Proyecto Davao. Then, the newly democratic local government gave the ancient tribal thanksgiving festivals the name Apo Duwaling.
The name was in honor of Mount Apo, and the mother of vandas, the Waling-Waling. These two are also iconic symbols of Davao City.
Through the fiesta, Dabawenyos would be able to unite and rise to the tide of times soon after the historic Edsa People Power. As a more unified community this time, Davao City would be known as a peaceful and safe tourist destination for guests and visitors.
The Apo Duwaling Festival was then replaced by the currently known name, “Kadayawan sa Dabaw” after then Mayor, now former President Rodrigo Duterte assumed his post as Davao City mayor in 1988. In this way, the festival refocuses on the rich harvests of the city and the native rituals associated with their special thanksgiving.
In 1995, Duterte issued Executive Order No. 10 institutionalizing the celebration of Kadayawan every third week of August every year.
And up to this day, Kadayawan is still one of the biggest non-religious festivals in the country, which is even dubbed the King of Festivals in the Philippines.
The 11 ethnic groups of Davao City continue to live in harmony reminding Davao’s rich cultural heritage. The 11 tribes of the city are the Bagobo-Kalata, Bagobo-tagabawa, Matigsalug, Ata Manobo, and Ovu Manobo of the Lumad; and the Moro people of Sama, Kagan, Maguindanao, Iranun, Maranao, and Tausug tribes.
The city prides itself on the harmonious coexistence of different indigenous communities and Muslim groups, showing that a grateful heart knows no ethnicity or cultural background.
The festival, since then, has been one of the most visited festivals in the city. Aside from the float parade and the street dancing, various concerts organized by the private sector add vibrance to the festivity.
This scene, however, was absent for two years when the Covid-19 pandemic hit the entire world, including Davao City. But this did not stop Dabawenyos from enjoying the festivity even in the comfort of their homes. The city government shifted to digital where Dabawenyos all over the world get to experience the best of the Kadayawan season.
But, as the cliche goes, there is always light at the end of every tunnel. In 2022, the streets were filled once again with cheers as face-to-face celebrations were allowed again.
What makes the 2023 celebration different from the previous year is that all smiles will be seen after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. no longer mandated the wearing of face masks in all areas, and the lifting of public health emergency.
Kadayawan is not only a celebration of diversity but also a reminder for all Dabawenyos that we are one and united in facing all the challenges. RGL