It’s the time of the year again when one of the most popular fiesta is celebrated in Davao. Kadayawan Festival is held every third week of August. Derived from the friendly greeting Madayaw, it means good, valuable, superior or beautiful. Like other Filipino festivals, Kadayawan is a thanksgiving of sort – a celebration of life, a thanksgiving for the gifts of nature, the wealth of culture, the bountiful harvest and the serenity of living.
Photo Credit: http://davao.sunstar.com.ph/kadayawan/page/2/
Kadayawan Festival has a rich history that can be traced back to Pre-colonial Period when the Davao’s natives gathered at Mount Apo to offer thanksgiving to a diety called Manama (the Supreme Being) and Bulan (a moon deity) during a night of full moon. The full moon would be greeted by the name ‘dayaw’ as it was so beautiful and recognized as perfect and praiseworthy for its spectacular shape and brilliance. The natives would offer fresh fruits, vegetables, farm Produce and rice accompanied by loud singing and dancing.
Photo Credit: http://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/travel/ph-travel/103471-davao-kadayawan-festival-2015
It was in 1988 when the then City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte (now the President elect of the Philippines) named the festival as Kadayawan sa Dabaw in celebration and gratitude for the bountiful harvest of fruits, vegetables, flowers and other produce in Davao as well as the richness of the city’s culture.
Photo Credit: http://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/10830-colors,-dance-and-abundance-at-kadayawan
To this day, the Kadayawan Festival has kept its tradition, a colourful and lively celebration every year where visitors get the chance to buy fresh and affordable farm Produce of Davao and know more about the unique culture of the city.