By ANSELMO V. TALAGTAG, JR.
March 20, 2011, 1:25am
Sumilao Float (photo by TEDDY PELAEZ)
If you are a tourist, whether foreign or local, who wants to find an authentic showcase of ethnic culture, go to Bukidnon and enjoy the ethnic authenticity of its “Kaamulan” Festival.
If you are a cultural researcher who is in search of a laboratory of original and realistic ethnicity, the “Kaamulan” Festival is the answer to your quest.
While most of the regional festivals are participated in by schoolchildren wearing ethnic or unique costumes, parading along the streets, and staging choreographed dances, Bukidnon’s “Kaamulan” Festival is different and outshines them all as far as authenticity is concerned. So far, it is the only authentic ethnic celebration since it is participated in by real tribesmen, wearing their native costumes, and dancing to their indigenous tunes, using their own handcrafted musical instruments.
Although the word “Kaamulan” is originally derived from Bukidnon’s native term “amul” which stands for any “celebration” or “social gathering” in the farms, today it has become a feast in Malaybalay City, the capital of Bukidnon.
The provincial government of Bukidnon has raised this ethnic festival a notch higher than what we commonly see; for example: The Ati-Atihan in Aklan which parades a host of painted dancers to make-believe they are indigenous, and the Masskara Festival in Negros which is an imitation of the Mardi Gras in Brazil.
In Bukidnon, the ethnic participants are not role-players or performing artists; in fact they are acting true-to-life. The participants hail from their indigenous tribes: the Umayamnon, Ilianon, Pulangihon, Higaonon, Tigwahanon, Taalandig, Matisalug, and Manobo.
If you are a folk dance scholar or teacher, the “Kaamulan” Festival is a source of authentic dance lessons. This is the only ethnic festival that features dancing clinics wherein the dance-teachers are the indigenous people themselves, making their own music with their handcrafted musical instruments.
If you are interested in alternative music or you want to compare ethnic music with your kind of modern band-music, “Kaamulan” Festival is the perfect destination.
Since it is a showcase of indigenous culture not only in Bukidnon but also in neighboring provinces, the Kaamulan Festival was first adopted by Northern Mindanao as their regional event on September 16, 1977.
Now, the “Kaamulan” Festival is celebrated in March coinciding with the Foundation Day of Bukidnon. It does not only feature ethnic dancing on the streets as well as indigenous rituals, but also a garden show and an agri-fair showcasing the native plants and harvests of all the municipalities of Bukidnon.
Just recently, having attended the opening of the Kaamulan Festival, Undersecretary Ma. Victoria V. Jasmin of the Department of Tourism’s Regulation, Coordination and Resource Generation, believes that Bukidnon has great potential for agri-tourism as well as eco-tourism opportunities. She even added, “But we have to promote tourism year-round so its benefits will not be only seasonal.”
Bukidnon has vast pineapple plantations for which the province is famous, as well as Asia’s longest dual zipline at the Dahilayan Adventure Park, both of which are found in the municipality of Manolo Fortich. San Jose, Malaybalay City, is known for hiking sites and river rafting. It’s also here where the Benedictine Monastery of the Transfiguration houses an exquisite 50-piece handcrafted vestment collection.
Other interesting features of “Kaamulan” Festival are the traditional rituals and horse fight.
How to get there:
No direct flights to Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. However, there are seven flights from Manila servicing Cagayan de Oro City, 1-1/2 hours from Malaybalay airport. Via Cebu City, there are daily flights and boat trips. Via Davao City, it’s only four hours’ travel by land.
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