Madayaw! A warm and friendly greeting derived from the Dabawenyo word “Dayaw” that means good. It is also used to describe any thing that is valuable, superior or beautiful. Such is “ Kadayawan”, a celebration of life, a thanksgiving for the gifts of nature, the wealth of culture, the bounties of harvest and the serenity of living.

Although already a customary practice of the indigenous people of Davao, the thanksgiving festival was institutionalized in 1986 to unite the Dabawenyos after the turbulent Martial law years. It was then called Apo Duwaling, a contraction of the famous icons of the city, namely: Mt. Apo, durian and waling-waling. Two years later , it was renamed Kadayawan to better reflect the merry spirit and indigenous theme of the celebration.

Today, Kadayawan has metamorphosed into a festival of festivals, the mother of many others festivals in the region as it honors Davao’s heritage, its past personified by the ancestral “ lumads”, its people as they celebrate on the streets, and its floral industry was they parade in full regalia in thanksgiving for the blessings bestowed on the City.

Through 18 Kadayawan years.Davao City has nurtured a culture of peace in harmony with a nurture and with great respect to indigenous traditions. It has become the gateway to the arts and culture of Mindanao. All these are found in Kadayawan.

Kadayawan sa Dabaw is an experience with a difference as it explores the past, present and future of the Dabawenyos, the Mindanaoans, the Filipinos. Its sights and sounds remain unparalleled. Be part of the experience.