Dayaw highlights northern cultures

MANILA, Philippines - The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) will hold the Luzon leg of “Dayaw 2014: The Indigenous Peoples Festival,” touted to be biggest gathering of Philippine indigenous peoples, from Oct. 22 to 23 in Baguio City.

The festival will feature forums on issues and concerns of the indigenous peoples; demonstrations of traditional crafts and cuisines; recognition of cultural masters; an exhibit of photographs and crafts; and outreach performances of ethnic songs and dances.

It will be participated in by indigenous groups of northern Philippines including Gaddang, Isinay, Tinggian, Itneg, Ibanag, Yogad, Itawit, Malaweg, Kasiguran, Ivatan, Itbayat, Bugkalot, Isnag, Kalinga, Ifugao, Ibaloi, Kankanaey,  Balangao, Bontok, Applai, Ilocano, Bolinao, Pangasinan, Tagalog, Sambal, Pampangan, Ayta, Agta, Mangyan, Palawani, Molbog, Jama Mapun, Tagbanua, Pala’wan, Agutaynen, Bicolano, Batak and Cuyunon.

Organized by NCCA’s Subcommission on Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts (SCCTA), Dayaw is annually held in celebration of National Indigenous Peoples’ Month observed every October, showcasing the different indigenous groups of the country, and an enriching and interesting array of activities including performances, rituals, forums, traditional cuisine demos, traditional games, arts and crafts exhibit and cultural tours, among others.

Dayaw aims to highlight the importance and richness of indigenous cultures, to discuss issues indigenous peoples face today and facilitate interactions with other indigenous peoples. It also aims to mine traditional knowledge as well as draw inspiration and insight from indigenous ways of life to find solutions for modern problems.

In previous years, Dayaw gathered indigenous peoples in one venue. This year, it will be held in the three major island clusters of the country. It will have the theme “Katutubong Filipino Para sa Kalikasan at Kapayapaan” (Indigenous Filipino for the Environment and Peace).             

In Mindanao, Dayaw will be held from Nov. 6 to 7 in Zamboanga City, to be participated in by indigenous groups of southern Philippines including Yakan, Subanen, Manobo, Higaonon, Bagobo, Mandaya, Mansaka, B’laan, Sangir, Ata Manobo, T’boli, Teduray, Arumanen, Mamanwa, Maranao, Magindanao, Iranun and Tausug.

In the Visayas, Dayaw will be held from Nov. 10 to 11 in Bacolod City, to be participated in by indigenous groups of central Philippines including Ati, Panay Bukidnon, Waray, Abaknon, Hiligaynon and Cebuano.

Since the signing of Presidential Proclamation 1906 declaring October as National Indigenous Peoples’ Month, the NCCA has been annually celebrating the occasion in different parts of the country through Dayaw.

For details, contact the NCCA Public Affairs and Information Office at 527-5529 or 0928-5081057. E-mail [email protected] or visit www.ncca.gov.ph.