The Kadayawan Festival is the annual thanksgiving festival of Davao. The term is derived from the word “Madayaw,” a greeting that means good, welcome, or beautiful.

The Kadayawan Festival is held in August in time for the bountiful harvest of fruits in the region. It is also a celebration of the Waling-waling, the Philippine Eagle, the Durian fruit, and the Mount Apo which are symbols of the beauty, bounty, and culture of Davao.

The Kadayawan Festival is also a celebration of the tri-people in the area: Christians, Muslims, and Indigenous Peoples. It is during this time of the year when the 10 indigenous tribes of Davao are celebrated and recognized as the pillars and founders of Davao.

Video courtesy of BAportadera.

Here are some of the events during Kadayawan 2010:

Engr. Manuel A. Medros 2nd Solo Art Exhibit for Painting
August 11- September 11, 2010
Venue: Museo Dabawenyo
Agri-Trade Fair
August 13-30, 2010
Venue: SM City
A trade fair participated by farers, plant growers, handicraft producers and manufacturers.

Panagtagbo
August 16-22, 6-8 PM
Venue: Peoples’ Park
The converging of the Ata Manobo, Ubo Manobo, K’lata, Tagabawa, Matigsalog, Maranao, Maguindanao, Tausug, Sama and Kalagan tribes, celebrating thanksgiving of their oneness with the earth through performances, culinary fiesta and age-old craftsmanship integrated in a program that showcases their strength as diverse peoples of Davao.

Fair Trade Opening
August 16-22, 2010
Venue: Sanguniang Panlungsod Lobby
A bazaar of proudly Davao-made goods produced and manufactured by organizations that encourages entrepreneurship and empowerment participated by the women of Davao City.

Festival Opening
August 20, 2010
Venue: Rizal Park
The official launch of the 25th Kadayawan Festival highlighted by performances of the different tribes of Davao City.

Hudyakaan
August 20-22, 5:00 PM-2 AM
Venue: Bolton Street (Beside Sanguniang Panlungsod)
An evening street event that features music and food. A street festival, Davao-style.

Hiyas sa Kadayawan
August 20, 2010, 8 PM
Venue: Almendras Gym,
Search for the Kadayawan symbol, the indigenous lass who is knowledgeable of her indigenous culture and wisdom through a pageantry of Mindanaoan myths and legends.

Indak indak sa Kadalanan
August 21. 2010, 8 AM
Venue: Major thoroughfares of the city
The Indak Indak sa Kadalanan or the street dancing parade showcases the different colors, cultures and traditional dances of the different tribes of Davao and Mindanao.

Pamulak Floral Float Parade
August 22, 8 AM
Venue: Major thoroughfares of the city
The grand finale of the Kadayawan Festival, the Pamulak is a mobile display of the blooming of flowers and ripening of fruits in creatively decorated floats on parade, showcasing the abundance of vegetation in the Davao Region.

Schedule and other infomation courtesy of the Kadayawan Festival FB Page.