Preserving ethnic traditions at Kaamulan festival

Philippines festivals are mainly rooted in faith and devotion – Sinulog, Ati-Atihan and Dinagyang honor the Santo Nino, while Pahiyas and the Carabao festivals are dedicated to San Isidro Labrador.

In Bukidnon, their festival focuses on their identity, their traditions, customs and unity of the indigenous communities. It’s called Kaamulan Festival.

The name “Kaamulan” is derived from the Binukid word “amul,” which means “to gather.” The festival began as a communal gathering among Bukidnon’s seven indigenous groups — the Bukidnon, Higaonon, Talaandig, Manobo, Matigsalug, Tigwahanon, and Umayamnon. It was originally a thanksgiving ritual for a bountiful harvest and a reaffirmation of peace among the tribes.

Its transformation into a formal festival dates back to May 15, 1974, during the fiesta of the municipality of Malaybalay. The local government invited members of indigenous communities to perform traditional dances at Plaza Rizal. What started as a simple cultural showcase quickly became the highlight of the celebration, eventually evolving into an annual festival that honors the rich heritage of Bukidnon’s people.

Today, Kaamulan stretches for more than a month of activities, culminating in street dancing, ground presentations, and a float competition.

The celebrations happen in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon’s provincial capital, which is often called the “South Summer Capital of the Philippines.” Most activities are centered at the Capitol Grounds, home to the historic Provincial Capitol Building designed by Juan Arellano and large-scale sculptures by Kublai Millan.

To get there: From Cagayan de Oro, it’s a 92-kilometer drive via Sayre Highway, while travelers from Davao City can take the Bukidnon-Davao Highway for a 192-km journey. Those flying in from Manila can land at Laguindingan Airport or Davao, then continue by land to Malaybalay.

Kaamulan’s rituals are not staged performances but living traditions. One ritual is the Pahumat, held before the grand parade, which is a thanksgiving offering to ancestral spirits for guidance and protection. Tribal leaders gather before sunrise, chanting in unison while offering betel nuts, liquor, eggs, coins and animal blood.

Ceremonies like the Datuship ritual formalizes the leadership of tribal elders, while the Tagulambong seeks protection and prosperity for the coming year. These rituals ground the festival in meaning, reminding visitors that Kaamulan is not just a spectacle — it is a continuation of culture.

Highlight remains the street dancing that before sunrise, with rituals leading into a dawn parade. Each contingent tells a story through movement — courtship, harvest, daily life and ancestral legends. Some dances mimic the grace of the Philippine eagle, while others reflect the rhythm of farming and community life.

Music using traditional instruments like the kudyapi and saluray, along with various drums, provide more than just rhythm — they define each tribe’s identity. Costumes, woven by hand and adorned with beads, feathers and metalwork complete the visual narrative.

Other than performances, there are motocross events, rodeo shows, concerts and beauty pageants. Trade fairs and food parks offer local delicacies and crafts, while cultural exhibits showcase Indigenous games and cooking traditions.

An agri-trade fair highlights Bukidnon’s reputation as the “Fruit and Vegetable Basket of Mindanao.” Visitors get a close look at the province’s agricultural bounty, including a “biggest produce” contest where oversized crops take center stage, like a winning ube weighing over 29 kilos.

Bukidnon Gov. Rogelio Neil Roque emphasized the festival’s purpose: to protect culture, empower communities, and pass traditions on to future generations.