The Kadayawan Festival is an annual festival in the city of Davao in the Philippines. The festival is a celebration of life, a thanksgiving for the gifts of nature, the wealth of culture, the bounties of harvest and serenity of living.
The festival was previously known as Apo Duwaling Festival, named after three icons of Davao; Mount Apo, durian, and the waling-waling orchid.[2]
Previously,[3][bettersourceneeded] this festival was held in the third week of August every year which was highlighting the 11 tribes of Davao City. In 2019, the celebration was extended and held from 2 to 31 August. In 2025, Kadayawan Festival was celebrated from 8 to 17 August, though it still continues until the end of August with accredited events and Trade Fair.[4][bettersourceneeded]
One of the highlights of the Kadayawan Festival is the Indak-Indak sa Kadayawan, which translates to street dancing.[5] This is a showcase of the diverse indigenous cultures of the region. The festivities feature different communities in Mindanao dancing in vibrant costumes that highlight their indigenous heritage.[6]
History
In 1970, Mayor Elias B. Lopez encouraged all the Davao tribes to showcase their thanksgiving rituals. In 1986, the Davao City government focused on uniting the people in the turbulent times of martial law. At this time the festival was called "Apo Duwaling". This name was created as a combination of three natural wonders: Mount Apo, durian, and waling-waling. Also an important event in Davao that brings together friends and families.
In 1988, the festival was officially named "Kadayawan Festival"[7] by Mayor (now former Philippine President) Rodrigo Duterte.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival was held digitally in 2020 and 2021. There were plans to celebrate the festival in a hybrid format in 2021, but such plans did not push through due to the rising cases caused by the Delta variant.[8] The festival returned normally the next year, albeit with safety measures. In 2023, the festival made a big change with its aims to promote the festival globally, with a new theme song titled "Kada Kadayawan" sung by Maan Chua and Neil Llanes, and a theme "Colors of Abundance, Vibrance of Diversity, Festival of Festivals". The theme song was remastered the next year.[9]
However, in 2025, the festival is branded as "Kadayawan 2025" instead of "40th Kadayawan" as Kadayawan executive committee Carmelita Bangayan said in the festival's media conference, "They have to go back and check the narratives when Kadayawan actually started." She also added that it will be branded as "Kadayawan 2025" until they found out when the festival actually started.[10]
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