Mindanao’s Queen of All Festivals
Davao City is known for its royalty titles.
Mount Apo, which towers over the city, is called the king of the country’s mountains. Waling-waling, the endemic species that thrives in the forest of Mount Apo, is touted as the queen of orchids. Philippine eagle, the country’s icon, is the king of birds. Two fruits – durian and mangosteen – are bestowed the sobriquets king and queen of Philippine fruits, respectively.
Every August, the city also observes what spectators call as “The Queen of All Festivals in Mindanao” – the KadayawansaDabaw. It is Davao City’s thanksgiving for nature’s gifts, the wealth of culture, bountiful harvest, and peaceful living.
It is a month-long celebration, interfacing three aspects: tribal, industrial, and arts and entertainment; but the third week is the most anticipated as the weekend is highlighted with floral floats and streetdancing competitions. Throughout the month, there are exhibits that showcase the island’s tourism products and services.
Anciently, ethnic tribes like the Bagobos, Mandayas, Manobos, Mansakas and T’boli and others residing at the foot of Mount Apo would converge during a bountiful harvest. This ritual serves as their thanksgiving to the gods particularly to the “Manama” (the Supreme Being).Although times have changed, this practice of thanksgiving (pahinungod in local dialect) is still very much practiced by modern day Dabawenyos. This tradition flourished and evolved into an annual festival of thanksgiving. And that’s how KadayawansaDabaw came into existence.
“Ten tribes, One vibe.” That is the theme of the festival. Explains the Kadayawan Festival website: “Davao City has ten indigenous tribes, the Ata, Matigsalug, Ovu-Manuvo, Klata-Djangan, Tagabawa, Tausog, Maguindanao, Maranao, Kagan, and Sama. Though diverse in cultures, traditions and beliefs, these tribes are very much connected by a common origin that binds them together as one and the same – an origin that traces to the very core of the history of Davao City.”
