Dive into Filipino Culture at Davao's Kadayawan Festival

The event, occurring from the mid-point of August to mid-September, signifies a tribute to the unadulterated heritage and culture of the Philippines.

In the heart of summer, Davao, the third-largest city in the Philippines, comes alive for a month-long celebration known as the Kadayawan festival, an exuberant revelry that embraces the local ethos.

Streets burgeon with vibrant markets, lively parades flood the thoroughfares, and the pungent aroma of Durian, cherished as a delicacy by some and reviled as a foul fruit by others, wafts from local stalls, beckoning the most daring gastronomes.

This annual festivity, observed between mid-August and mid-September, serves as an ideal initiation for first-time visitors to the Philippines and an enriching experience for returning travelers acquainted only with the country's stunning coastlines.

What is Kadayawan festival about?

Kadayawan festival traditionally unites Indigenous peoples and residents of Davao in commemorating a prosperous harvest and showcasing the essence of local communities.

"In Davao, you have the tribal villages which allow you to witness what were the traditional homes of our tribes and meet the elders and the members of these tribal communities,” remarked the Secretary of Tourism for the Philippines, Christina Garcia Frasco, in conversation with Euronews Travel.

“And in that, it gives you a peek into the pre-colonial identity of the Philippines which still remains quite unadulterated, in the sense that it gives you an idea of what the Philippines would have been prior to the Spanish [colonial period].”

What's on offer at Kadayawan festival?

The festival hosts a distinctive beauty contest, Hiyas ng Kadayawan, where representatives from the region's ten different tribes exhibit their culture and heritage. Rather than strutting in swimwear, the competition revolves around their knowledge of local and tribal customs and sagacity. Anticipate stunning attire and customary dances.

For those uninterested in beauty pageants, the captivating Indak-indak sa Kadalanan unfolds—a street dance contest that celebrates the culture, traditions, and folklore of diverse tribes in the region.

Another must-see tradition is the Pamulak Kadayawan, featuring colossal floats bedecked with flowers, fruits, and an array of local products parading the city's main streets, captivating passersby. This event remains a highlight during the festival.

Delights at Kadayawan festival

The season presents an ideal opportunity to savor the country's most renowned fruits, encompassing the notorious durian and the less controversial mangosteen, marang, and rambutan. The festival includes an agricultural fair, presenting a cornucopia of choices.

"If you get through the olfactory challenges, durian is actually quite delicious," remarks Garcia Frasco, suggesting visitors choose vendors who freshly cut open the fruit before them. "But it's also the season for many other heritage fruits, offering a 'farm-to-table' experience."

The festival also offers a glimpse of "a totally different face of Filipino food," as many vendors maintain traditional tribal methods of food preparation.

Source: euronews.com