#MINDANAO
John Tria
I’m celebrating this major Mindanawon harvest and tribal festival in person for the first time since 2019.
The message Kadayawan brings is not only of abundance, harmonious diversity and thanksgiving. Today’s Kadayawan makes a bold statement that Mindanawons are proud of their indigenous cultures.
Even migrants adopt the cultural elements of Mindanao. Unlike in other parts of the world, these are not suppressed and kept away from the mainstream, these are proudly displayed in our city centers, like in Davao.
It is likely that your bank manager, dermatologist, architect or business leader carries the culture of an indigenous people and are proud to show that off especially in social functions. They wear a tangkulo scarf or colorful handwoven fabrics to accent formal evening wear. In their homes they display Maranao chests from Marawi and gongs. Meanwhile, big establishments like hotels deliver the message of a vibrant culture through displays of gongs and other items that reflect cultural diversity.
Even Mindanawon food has become popular, featured by food bloggers showcasing rice dishes like rice and chicken pastil, satti, or condiments such as Suka Pinakurat, Palapa and Dumang chili powder from Davao Oriental.
The world is beginning to see more of this cultural diversity. These show a living, thriving diverse culture that is not left inside museums, but remains strong and part of everyday life. That is not surprising as Mindanao was the last to be fully conquered by the Western colonial powers.
Thus, many of these cultural elements remained with the people well into the last century, documented and photographed by technology available then. Thus, the oft repeated phrase “400 years in a convent” that is said in relation to Filipinos in Luzon and the Visayas, may not necessarily apply to Mindanao.
The second bold statement is that Mindanaoans would like to express this abundant life and rich culture and expand it, while the rest of the country pushes for sustainability. They are not afraid or ashamed to speak of this abundance.
In recent years, social media has given Mindanawons a new stage for expressing this pride. It has spoken even against snooty characters who portray this blessed island as a violent backwater, or held out against attempts to suppress cultural expression, calling indigenous attire as trivial.
This pushback against such portrayal is real, and will continue to assert itself, resonating with the loud, aggressive drum beat of the Kadayawan’s indak indak dances that never fail to touch our hearts and inspire pride.
The festival paraded the colors of its villages and cities in the pamulak floats, floated the aroma and flavor of food and fruits. It throbbed with the beehive of activities which welcomed people from all backgrounds who came to celebrate Kadayawan.
Artists and singers had their day with various art exhibits such as those of the Bai Hinang Women's Art Group, the Obra exhibit of the Tabula Rasa Group at Azuela Cove, artist Kublai Millan’s sunrise exhibit at a major mall with writer Stella Estremera’s poetry, The Art Pavilion at the La Herencia gallery featuring popular art forms and performances in various parts of the city.
Likewise, there was the iconic shopping market. And the Poblacion was launched with an art exhibit of the works of local artists. It looks like art will continue to thrive in “Durianburg,” giving light, color and texture to the Kadayawan message.