Indigenous tribes showcase their own sports activities, among them the skillful use of the bangkaw (spear) at the Peoples Park in Davao City today. The Tribal Sportsfest is the new feature in the 29th Kadayawan Festival. The tribal sports festival is spearheaded by the Davao City Sports office. (davaotoday.com file photo)
DAVAO CITY – A Muslim leader here said that schools should integrate the indigenous games in the curriculum.
In a press conference held at the City Hall of Davao, on Thursday, August 11, Iranun Deputy Mayor Pamikiran Latip P. Arumpac, Jr., said that the indigenous games are very important part indigenous culture and are being forgotten because schools only introduce Western sports.
“Kasi alam niyo, bakit nakalimutan ang laro ng mga tribo? Dahil sa ang gina introduce ng school kay basketball, volleyball, soccer. Hindi kasali ang mga Lumadnong dula (Do you know why our tribal games are being forgotten? It’s because our schools only introduce basketball, volleyball, and soccer. The indigenous games are not included), Arumpac said.
“Lalo na ngayon, meron nang computer, wala na silang gana sa mga laro namin (Especially now, with the rise of computer games, they no longer want our games),” Arumpac added.
Apart from Sipa (internationally known as Sepak Takraw), none of the many other indigenous games are currently included in school activities.
“Sana po, sa mga nakatayo dito, pag-isahan natin, na kahit sa Davao, ma-introduce, ma-integrate natin yung sports ng mga Muslim at mga Lumad sa ating mga local schools (Hopefully, we who are all standing here, can unite and call for the integration of the Lumad and Muslim sports in our schools, even if just here in Davao),” Arumpac said.
The Dula Kadayawan, a major event of the Kadayawan 2016 will showcase the different games of the 11 tribes of Davao on August 18, 8:00 am at the Great Lawn, People’s Park. The activity was formerly known as the Lumadnong Dula (Lumad games) but was changed to its current name to accommodate the participation of the Moro tribes. (davaotoday.com)
