AUGUST, the month that has just passed, is special for all Davaoeños as it is the time when the City of Davao holds its annual Kadayawan Festival. Originally observed in the third week of August, the Kadayawan has evolved to become a month-long grand celebration that attracts throngs of tourists to this beautiful city in the south. Aside from being a thanksgiving event for an abundant life and bountiful harvest, it also pays tribute to the 11 indigenous tribes of Davao, namely Ata, Bagobo Tagabawa, Matigsalug, Bagobo Klata, Maranaw, Iranun, Kagan, Maguindanaon, Ovu-Manuvo, Sama, and Tausug.
Unfortunately, the ongoing pandemic has relegated the once vibrant occasion to an online event following the government's strict health protocols. Aside from the absence of the highly-anticipated colourful activities, greatly missed was the unique Kadayawan Tribal Village inside Davao's Magsaysay Park. This village consisted of structures representing the dwellings of each of the 11 tribes, which allowed visitors to experience each group's rich culture. Interestingly, each house showcased the indigenous architecture of the tribes using native building materials and following their age-old house-building practices.
