John Lester Q.

Pernadez BSCE- Transportation

August 13, 2019

Celebration of Davao’s Heritage Culture and Bountiful

Harvest

Nikki Minaj said, “Pound the alarm!” Dabawenyos say, “Pound

the gong and kulintang!” Kadayawan Saturdays mean one thing—revelry at the
streets of downtown Davao City. Different contingents from all over Eastern,
Southern, and Central Mindanao bask in the sun and strut their dance moves to the
beat of the drums, kulintang, and agung as Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan begins mid-
morning. The heart of Davao City throbs vibrantly in colors and the beat of street
party.

It was the first time I witnessed Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan, or simply translated

as “Street Dancing.” Instead of just listening to the throbbing drums just like in Ati-
Atihan and Dinagyang, or the high-pitched bugle of Sinulog, or the Latin beats of
MassKara, Kadayawan’s Indak-Indak possesses Mindanao musicality—the
kulintang, the agung, the kudyapi, laced with drums and sometimes trumpets, give it
a distinct Mindanao flavor. The street dancing contingents focus on the
ten Lumad and Moro peoples that made up Davao City’s cultural tapestry, with
emphasis on spirituality, folklore, bounty of the land, and everyday living. Their
colorful costumes that echo the vibrant Mindanaoan culture has made this festival a
unique showcase to the world. It shows that in Mindanao, living in unity amidst
diversity is possible.