Kadayawan sa Dabaw: Celebrating Our Rich Bounties

Kadayawan sa Dabaw is a  thanksgiving of the gifts of nature, the wealth of culture, and the bounties of harvest for this year. The celebration of Kadayawan can be traced back to Davao’s eleven indigenous groups in the City. They will converge annually and perform a ritual for “Manama” (the Supreme Being) as thanksgiving to the bountiful harvest they had for the year. In the said ritual, various fruits, vegetables, flowers, and rice grains were displayed on a mat outside of their houses while they sing and dance for the deities. To this day, these rituals are no longer practiced but the spirit of thanksgiving for the bounty we have each year is still there. The festival continues to honor the city’s rich resources, colorful culture, and the abundance of blessings. 

The new normal Kadayawan 2020 will be done online. The online celebration will be on August 17-24, 2020 with events like Kadayawan music video competition, Kadayawan in Retrospect, Best of Kadayawan events viewing party, and many more. Kadayawan 2020 is surely something new for all of us. But aside from participating in all the activities the government laid out to us, why not go the extra mile and embody the cause of this celebration?

Support the plight of our Indigenous groups. Mayor Sara Z. Duterte stressed that it is important to still celebrate the Kadayawan because  “it is a celebration of the bountiful harvest and the cultural diversity of the indigenous peoples (IPs), who are being confronted with various challenges to their rights, such as but not limited to their ancestral domain and access to education and other opportunities. We want to make sure that we are aware of these issues concerning our IP groups not only here in Davao City but also in other places. A celebration of IP culture here is a celebration of culture everywhere else.” In as much as this is a time to be thankful of our land’s bounty, it is also time to know more about our roots. This is why when you celebrate Kadayawan with Malagos, we always make sure you know more about the local Bagobo indigenous group in the area. You have witnessed their traditional Bagobo dance and have even first hand seen their talents through the displayed crafts and handmade woven products made by the Bagobos themselves and some more modern and commercialized merchandise which displayed the Bagobo culture. Know more about them, support them through buying and endorsing their products, and be one with them in the plight to protect nature. 

Support local farmers. As Kadayawan is a celebration of bounty, it is also important to shed light to our local farmers who despite the pandemic continued to support us by growing, tending, and nurturing each produce they have. The Malagos Garden Resort has always been intertwined with our local farmers. It is only through them that we were able to give you farm fresh quality meals and the internationally recognized Malagos Chocolates and Cheeses. 

Support local businesses. Let’s admit it, each small business in the City is striving by the day. It is a long process of getting by while making sure you are safe. In an effort to support our local farmers and to still be with you through these trying times, the Malagos Homegrown Produce budded. While we do our best to keep on giving each one of you a service you no less than deserve, it will be much appreciated if you choose to buy local and support local. Be safe at home and buy fresh homegrown produce, signature products, and even baking needs with us. A small act will go a long way. 

These past few years, the Malagos Garden Resort has always  celebrated Kadayawan with you. But with the onset of the pandemic, we had to close our doors to keep you safe. This year, may you still open your doors to us through the Malagos Homegrown Produce. Head onto our website and celebrate Kadayawan with us. Stay home, stay homegrown, and happy Kadayawan sa Dabaw!