Witnessing the Ethnic Kaamulan Festival in Malaybalay, Bukidnon
The Araguaney tree blooming with yellow leaves behind me provided a vibrant prelude to what I was about to witness. As the marching drums of the twelve participating contingents in the street dance competitions start to pound foot-stomping beats, I can feel the vibe of Kaamulan Festival becoming more electrifying.
Celebrating the indigenous culture of Bukidnon, the festival highlights the dynamic enactments from the province’s seven ethnic groups; Manobo, Higaonon, Bukidnon, Talaandig, Umayamnon, Matigsalug and the Tigwahanon – into a yearly occurrence showcasing their traditions, rituals and way of life.
The Only Ethnic Festival in the Philippines
First celebrated in 1974, the Kaamulan Festival has now become one of Mindanao’s biggest cultural revelries. Kaamulan comes from the Binukid word “amul”, which translates to “to gather”, therefore ringing true to the festival's constant gathering of the seven ethnic groups of Bukidnon.
This unique setup makes it the only authentic ethnic festival in the Philippines, according to local organizers and cultural heritage advocates.
Romping Stomping Street Dance Parade
As the morning sun sheened the stretch of Sayre Highway, where I joined a multitude of people eagerly waiting for the parade to start, I caught a glimpse of the colorful contingents from a distance away. Wanting to probe closely, I walked towards them and came face-to-face with a sundry and vibrant set of performing delegations – all ready to rock the place while adorned in their colorful traditional costumes.
It dawned on me that there is more to the romping, stomping drumbeats and captivating street dances, as the participants are also exhibiting their fine artistry perfected from past generations through the intricate creations of their clothes.
Each aesthetic seen covering their bodies—from headwear to handcrafted clothing designed with flamboyant cross-stitching patterns to the distinctive accessories—you could see the sheer amount of artisanship they applied to showcase their tribal culture through a pomp presentation and visual feast.
With permission from the indigenous elders of the seven ethnic groups of Bukidnon, sacred dances depicting various ways of life, rituals, and cultural practices were performed accompanied by traditional music. The performers soon filled much of Sayre Highway with a sparkling wave of spectacle.
The street parade lasted from sunrise to mid-morning until the twelve contingents reached the stadium grounds of Malaybalay, where they competed for the other category: the best in ground presentation.
The performers from Malaybalay were ultimately adjudged the champions for the Street Dancing category, while the contingent from the municipality of Pangantucan bagged the Ground Presentation trophy.
The Marriage of Agyu and Tagyakuwa
The Kaamulan Festival is more than just the street dance parade; it is a multi-day folk celebration aiming to promote the deep understanding of diverse cultures. The night before the grand street parade, we watched a cultural presentation depicting an epic folk tale of the Talaandig and Manobo people.
The Ulaging: The Marriage of Agyu and Tagyakuwa recounts the journey to immortality of Bukidnon's cultural hero, Agyu, and his marriage to Tagyakuwa. This fascinating Mindanaoan legend was narrated through the graceful dance choreography of the Bukidnon State University Dance Troupe and a poignant musical performance by the members of the Bukidnon State University Chorale.
Kaamulan Festival: More than Just a Merriment
After witnessing how some of the festivals all over the Philippines have surrendered to the euphoric pull of commercial mass revelry, I find the Kaamulan Festival as remaining entirely true to its roots: that of highlighting and safeguarding the rich culture of its original indigenous people.
Feeling fortunate to witness the Kaamulan Festival, I not only returned home with poignant memories of enchanting dance performances, but I also amassed a wealth of knowledge about the rich culture, storied history, and ancestral way of life of the magnificent seven ethnic groups of Bukidnon.
This article first appeared on the print pages of the Daily Tribune on June 29, 2018.
