CLARK FIELD, Pampanga, Oct. 6 (PNA) — The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has teamed up with the provincial government of Pampanga for the celebration of Dayaw 2015, an indigenous people’s festival, touted to be the biggest gathering of Philippine Indigenous Peoples (IPs).
With this year’s theme: Katutubong Kaalaman para sa Kalikasan at Kapayapaan” (Indigenous Knowledge for environment and peace), Dayaw 2015 will be held from October 15 to 27, this year, in the cities of Angeles and San Fernando, focusing on traditional and local knowledge on environment protection and advocacy for peace while sharing the uniqueness of each cultural community in the country.
Organized by NCCA’s Subcommission on Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts (SCCTA), Dayaw is annually being held in celebration of the National Indigenous People’s Month every October.
Dayaw showcases the different indigenous groups of the country, and an enriching and interesting array of activities, including performances, rituals, forums, traditional cuisine demos, traditional games, arts and crafts exhibit and cultural exchanges, among others.
The National Committee on Southern Cultural Communities headed by Dr. Al-Anwar Anzar said Dayaw aims to highlight the importance and richness of indigenous cultures, to discuss issues being faced by indigenous peoples today and facilitate interactions with other indigenous peoples.
”It also aims to mine traditional knowledge as well as draw inspiration and insight from indigenous ways of life to find solutions for modern problems,” Anzar said.
Marichu Tellano, chief of the Plan and Policy Formulation of NCCA said the Dayaw opening ceremonies will be held at the Bayanihan Park on October 15, where the IPs representatives will gather in their traditional wears for a spectacular parade.
“They will be joined by Pampanga’s government officials as well as students, drumming up awareness on the different IP groups of the country and their rich heritage,” Tellano said.
She said an exhibit of traditional clothing and Manlilikha ng Bayan crafts will be opened at SM City Clark accompanied by pocket workshops.
“IP delegates will also conduct traditional games demonstrations at the mall’s Event Center, and everyone is encouraged to watch. The following days will be full of activities such as an IP summit in the City of San Fernando where about 100 IP delegates will discuss various concerns including IP rights, environmental issues and promotion of peace and unity,” she said.
The IP delegates will also conduct outreach performances in schools, including the Holy Angel University, City College of Angeles, City College of Mabalacat, Angeles University Foundation and Systems Plus College Foundation.
“They will showcase their traditional dances, songs, chants, games and cuisines. Then, they will go to different places in Pampanga for cultural exchanges and performances with the local communities in Lubao, Sta Rita, Macabebe, Arayat, Porac and San Fernando,” she added. (PNA)