Kadayawan Festival honors 11 ethnolinguistic groups
DAVAO CITY – The week-long Kadayawan Festival here celebrates the rich culture of its 11 ethnolinguistic groups and the Davao region’s abundant harvest.
Rooted in the Mandaya word “madayaw,” meaning goodness, beauty, and value, the festival honors this city’s indigenous heritage through vibrant performances and traditions.
This year’s theme honors the 11 tribal houses in the Kadayawan Village, highlighting their important role in the city.
The houses come alive with native delicacies, traditional music and dance, and local crafts that reflect the stories and identities of each group.
Woven tapestries further embody their enduring culture and heritage, lovingly preserved and passed down through generations.
This year’s celebration features the Floral Float Parade and Indak-Indak sa Kadayawan (Street Dancing), along with Hiyas sa Kadayawan and the Kadayawan Trade Fair, scheduled from Aug. 8 to 31 at the Davao Convention and Trade Center.