WITH the onset of the digital age where games are just a touch away from one's smartphone, the Davao City government through the Sports Development Division of the City Mayor's Office is once again staging the Dula Kadayawan on Friday, August 17, to revive the games of the indigenous people (IP) and educate the younger generations on the lumads' rich culture and traditions.
Klata Tribe chieftain Marvin C. Domingo of Barangay Los Amigos, who has been active in the Dula Kadayawan since 2014, said they are elated by the attention being accorded to them by the city government.
"Dako ang kalipay sa pagtagad sa city government sa among mga lumad, labi na sa mga bag-ong tubo. Dako kini nga oportunidad (We are happy for this program that serves as a great opportunity for the young IPs)," he said in a phone interview with Sun.Star Davao.
He expects this year's edition to be more festive and fun as not only the games of the IP will be showcased but also the Moro games as well.
Domingo said, "Sa mga tribo malipayon ming nahimong kabahin sa Kadayawan. Magkita-kita mi og magkailhanay (The tribes are happy that we are part of the Kadayawan. We can foster friendships)."
Organizer Tomas Jose Iñigo recently bared that this is by far the biggest and grandest tribal games to be staged.
The overall champion will romp away with a cash prize of P80,000 while the second, third and fourth placers will take home P70,000 and P50,000 and P30,000, respectively.
The Moro Games stakes P15,000, P10,000 and P8,000 for the first three placers while the fourth and fifth finishers will claim P2,000 each.
Iñigo said the Kadawan Execom and the SDD-CMO have poured generous support to the tribal games.
IP tribes Bagobo Tagabawa, Bagobo Klata, Obu Manovu, Matigsalog and Ata will vie for honors in siklot, bibinayo (rice pounding), sisibow, solopot, pana, bubuntog, kokasing, tug-of-war (osoroy), totaringki, and karang.
Moro tribes including Iranun, Kaagan, Maranaw, Maguindanaon and Sama will compete in sipa salama, sipa sa manggis, and tug of war.
Of the 10 IP games entered, Domingo said only bibinayo is still being practiced in far-flung barangays in the city since there are no milling stations.
Karang, according to him, is still being played by IP children in the neighborhood while pana (archery) is still useful in hunting.