Promoting the vibrancy of diversity, this year’s 38th Kadayawan Festival formally opened on Thursday night at the Magsaysay Park here.

Mayor Sebastian Duterte led the symbolic banging of the gong to signal the launch of the festivities, along with the opening of the Kadayawan Tribal Village.

In his message, Duterte pointed out that amid having a diverse culture, Dabawenyos remain united.

“There are a lot of people coming here and our population also increases. For a long time, despite a diverse culture, we have no discrimination here in Davao City,” he said.

This year’s Kadayawan Festival marks another significant event for the city, he said, “celebrating the continuing blessings of nature and the life of the city’s diverse culture. We are very blessed with the bountiful harvest of our fruits and vegetables.”

Duterte also underscored the importance of honoring the cultural heritage of the 11 ethnolinguistic tribes through the Kadayawan Tribal Village.

The tribal village has been the main attraction of the annual celebration showcasing the rich culture of the city’s 11 ethnolinguistic tribes — Ata, Maguindanaon, Matigsalug, Bagobo Klata, Maranao, Obo Manuvu, Bagobo-Tagabawa, Tasug, Sama, Iranun and Kagan.

“It proudly mirrors the respective traditions and way of life of our Moro and Lumad tribes,” Duterte said. (PNA)