Photos by Barry Ohaylan, Keith Bacongco, Karlos Manlupig and CJ Kuizon
Kadayawan festival, which runs from August 17 to 23, has been celebrated by the people of Davao for 24 years. It is a thanksgiving ritual for the years bountiful harvest, reminiscent of Davao ancestors pahinungod (offering).
This years celebration stresses the need to defend the ancestral lands of the lumads (indigenous peoples) with the theme: One People in Communion with the Earth (Nahiusang Katawhan, Nakigdait sa Kalibutan). Once the land is lost, so is the peoples culture and tradition, says Kadayawans official website.
Art enthusiasts visit Museo Dabawenyo for the 2nd Hulagway sa Kaliwatan Indigenous People’s Visual Arts Competition. (davaotoday.com photo by Barry Ohaylan)
Davaos pride, The Himig Singers, performs at the Peoples Park. The internationally acclaimed singers have been appointed as the citys official cultural ambassadors of goodwill in a 1997 ordinance. (davaotoday.com photo by Barry Ohaylan)
Hamela Nakilan, a Hiyas ng Kadayawan candidate represents the Sama tribe during the Subay sa Suba, a river float parade. (davaotoday.com photo by Barry Ohaylan)
A boat of lumads on Fridays river float parade. (davaotoday.com photo by Barry Ohaylan)
Mary Le-Laine Coronel, crowned Hiyas ng Kausawagan on Wednesdays Hiyas ng Kadayawan competition, represents the Bagobo tribe during the river float parade. (davaotoday.com photo by Barry Ohaylan)
Hiyas ng Kadayawan finalists. (davaotoday.com photo by Barry Ohaylan)
The Davao Drum Beaters Collective, a group of drummers from various schools performs at the Kadayawans grand opening at the Tionko Field. (davaotoday.com photo by Barry Ohaylan)
Vice-mayor Sara Duterte. (davaotoday.com photo by Barry Ohaylan)
Angela Librado-Trinidad, first district councilor, hits one of the 24 gongs at the Kadayawan grand opening. (davaotoday.com photo by Barry Ohaylan)
A dog at the Modio ring contest. (Keith Bacongco/AKP Images)
Students at the Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan (street dancing). (Keith Bacongco/AKP Images)
Students at the Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan (street dancing). (photo by Karlos Manlupig)
An onlooker with cellular phone and camera during the floral float parade. (davaotoday.com photo by CJ Kuizon)
