Kaamulan Festival

Kaamulan Festival is an annual festival that involves the seven tribes of Bukidnon. The festival is a celebration of culture, folklore, and traditions.

There are a lot of ethnic tribes and groups in the Philippines but the seven ethnic tribes featured in the event are the Talaandig, Manobo, Matigsalug, Tigwahanun, Higaunu, Umayamnun, and the Bukidnon. The cultural fusion of the ethnic groups makes for a diverse and enthralling event, the only multi-ethnic festival in the country. It is easy to see why this is considered the most genuine festival across the Philippines.

Kaamulan Festival

The name Kaamulan is a derivative of the word ‘amul’ and which translates to ‘the act of getting together’. By bringing together all the seven ethnic groups, the festival achieves its goal of ensuring the continuity of traditions as well as presenting a period of thanksgiving.

The festival, whose history can be traced back to 1974, has grown in popularity over the years, making it a central tourist attraction. Initially, the festival was held in September but has since moved to August in order to coincide with the Anniversary of Bukidnon.

The highlights of the festival include The Rodeo, a fun-filled competitive sport that involves racing Filipino cowboys, The Bazaar where tourists can learn a lot more about the province’s rich culture as well as the Street Dancing Contest.

The dancing contest is popular and stands out because its participants are drawn from the seven local tribes. The ceremony starts in the early morning and lasts close to seven hours. Make sure to look out for the Tribes section, one of the most remarkable highlights of this ethnic festival.

This section is packed with elders performing an array of dances and rituals, with each elder representing his ethnic group by way of their traditional musical instruments. The vibrant costumes worn are reflective of the rich heritage. The Kaamulan Festival blends the past with the present, certainly, a must experience.

Another festival that brings back the Filipino native culture and features the ancestral ethnic tribes is the Dinagyang Festival which is held in Iloilo. There are a lot more festivals that hold the same high spirit as well celebrates the undying history of the ancestors.