THE relaunching of the Kadayawan village last Monday, October 30, will be a stepping stone in promoting eco-tourism in the region, said tourism official.
On the sidelines of the Kadayawan village relaunching at Magsaysay Park, Department of Tourism 11 Regional Director Roberto Alabado III said he wish that the tribal village would bring further understanding of the Dabawenyos and tourists to the culture of the indigenous people living in Davao City.
After it had been received warmly by the people during the Kadayawan festival, the Kadayawan tribal village has been relaunched for everyday viewing at Magsaysay Park.
There are 11 tribal houses representing the 11 tribes in the city – Ata, Iranun, Kagan, Klata-Guiangan, Maguindanaon, Marano, Matigsalog, Ovu-Manuvo, Sama, Tagabawa, and Tausug.
As these tribes had established their village in the city for the lowland Dabawenyos and tourists to see and learn, Alabado said they plan that in the long run, the tourists themselves will be the ones to go to where these tribes actually reside and to immerse with their culture and way of life.
When the Kadayawan village has been going on for a while, Alabado said they are going to partner with these tribes who can offer lodging and a few days stay in their own villages in Davao City in order for the tourists to fully understand their culture and lifestyle.
He cited as an example the Mandaya tribe in sitio Sangab, Pichon, Caraga, Davao Oriental and the Klata tribe that had been starting to offer lodging for tourists.
CTOO head Generose Tecson said the relaunching of the Kadayawan village was a result of the interest generated amongst the residents and tourists of Davao.
“What we hope to do here is to really provide education and exchange of ideas. My dream personally is to one day walk the streets of Davao and see people wearing their clothes. That’s what I want to see,” she said adding that they would see to it that the cloth is properly sewn and the tribal members had explained the significance and the meaning of the cloth.
Tecson added the tribes are assisted through basic business skills training and bookkeeping as they are selling some of their products as well in the tribal village. Later on, when they are fully equipped of the knowledge, livelihood assistance may also be provided for them as well as basic performance training so they would be the ones to perform during cultural shows to welcome VIPs coming in the city.