Colors, dance and abundance at Kadayawan

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Gigantic floral floats and energetic street dancers dressed in the colorful traditional garb of the indigenous peoples of Mindanao flooded the narrow streets of Davao City as it celebrated the 27^th Kadayawan Festival during the weekend, August 17 to 19.

Kadayawan, dubbed “the festival of festivals” and “the king of festivals” in the country, is a thanksgiving celebration of the 10 Moro and Lumad tribes in the region for the year’s bountiful harvest.

The 10 indigenous and Moro tribes of Davao include the Matigsalug, Tagabawa, Ata, Obo-Manobo, Klata-Djangan, Maranao, Maguindanao, Sama, Kagan and Tausug tribes.

With an estimated traffic of 70,000 local and foreign tourists this year, the 27^th Kadayawan was carefully and meticulously prepared to make it more colorful and vibrant.

More than 20 cultural performing groups from the different schools in Davao and the best performing groups from the nearby cities and municipalities competed in the Indak-Indak street dancing competition.

At least 90 groups — including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, private corporations and government agencies — also wowed the tourists and spectators with their enormous and brightly-colored floral floats at the Pamulak float parade.

Aside from giving thanks for the season’s abundant harvest, Mayor Sara Duterte said that the festival is also a celebration of the love, unity, development and peace that is always present in the city.

Davaoeños take pride in the city’s inexpensive cost of living, strong governance, harmony regardless of the diverse cultural roots of the people and its typhoon-free territory that is still rich in fauna and flora.

All these affirm the city’s tourism tagline that “life is here” in Davao.

With the people in Luzon recently battered by successive weather disturbances and flooding, Mayor Duterte is opening the city to people who want to experience the quality of life in Davao.

“I am inviting people from other parts of the country — particularly the crowded Metro Manila — to consider Davao as alternative place to live in,” Duterte said. – Rappler.com

Kadayawan is one of the biggest festivals in the region, celebrating a bountiful harvest with music, dancing, parades, parties, night markets, and more! Travel to Davao and experience the south’s most exciting festivals! If you want to travel on a budget, click here.