On Monday, Davao's annual Kadayawan Festival gets under way; it celebrates the end of summer and the bringing-in of a good harvest. It's not one of the oldest festivals in the country - it celebrates its 30th birthday this year - but it is one of the country's largest and attracts participants from all over the country. Here's the Programme: The principal events take place on Saturday and Sunday with Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan - a parade of street dancing - on Saturday and Pamulak Kadayawan - the float parade of flowers on Sunday. Both events start at 8am and finish at 5pm. The above photos are from previous years and give some idea of the parades. We're planning to attend on one or both days and I'll try to post some photos from this year's parades.
I've just found out that if you want to take photographs of either of next weekend's parades, you must be in possession of security pass. Applications for said passes had to be filed around the 20th July
We had a great few days at the Kadayawan Festival. Fortunately the rain stayed away although yesterday (Sunday) did get very hot we really enjoyed the whole atmosphere especially at San Pedro Square. We always left home fairly early in the morning and then got home late in the evening. After a few days holidaying then a few days at the Kadayawan I admit to feeling a bit weary. I must say that I was saddened to see so many folks from the tribal mountain areas begging in the street. Yes I know that's to be expected, but this festival is geared up in large part to celebrate Mindanao's people and culture.
