DAVAO CITY — The 11 tribes of Davao City re-enacted the barter trade among them before the arrival of the Spanish colonizers in the 1800s during the “Panag-abli and Panagtagbo”, marking the opening of the week-long activities of the 33rd Kadayawan Festival on Friday.
Mayor Inday Sara Z. Duterte led the opening ceremony with the traditional banging of the big gong at the Magsaysay Park at about 6 p.m, and the food tasting at the Kadayawan Food Hall, where lumad and Moro tribes offered their traditional dishes to the public for free.
She called on Dabawenyos to go out and celebrate Kadayawan, a celebration in honor of the 11 tribes that she said also serves as a reminder for Dabawenyos to go back to their roots and history.
In her speech, Mayor Sara said the holding of the Kadayawan would not be possible without the participation of the people, particularly the private sector, which she said has been given wider latitude in hosting the festival.
“Go out and celebrate,” she told Davaoeños.
Mayor Sara said the private sector has the biggest share in terms of sponsorship and organization of the festival, which runs until Aug. 19 and has a total budget of PHP44 million.
She also made assurances that the police and army troops are working hard to ensure that no untoward incident would take place during the festival.
Festival Director Gatchi Gatchalian said the best way to celebrate Kadayawan is “for families to get together and participate in all activities. “
Kadayawan, he said, primarily showcases the culture and traditions of local tribes and reflects the harmonious convergence of all communities.
Gatchalian said the public can enjoy regular festival mainstays such as the street dancing, the floral and fruit parade, Hiyas ng Kadayawan, trade fair, and the Farmers Market organized by the Moro tribes.
Organizers are also reinventing the Lumad Games, this time allowing visitors to join the games.
Other highlights are the Drum Beating Contest, Kadayawan Fashion Accessories Design and Competition, Dragonboat Festival, Songwriting, Kadayawan Ball, and Kosplay featuring the Philippine Eagle and the Tribal Village Walking Tour. (Lilian Mellejor/PNA)
