Cebu, Bukidnon forge sister ties

CEBU province will forge sisterhood ties with the province of Bukidnon today.

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia is in Bukidnon to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Bukidnon Gov. Alex “Boy” Kalingasan.

Bukidnon is celebrating its 95th Foundation Day and annual Kaamulan Festival.

Today is a special non-working holiday for Bukidnon under a presidential decree signed by President Aquino last Feb. 28.

“Kaamulan” is from the Binukid word “amul,” which means “to gather.” By custom Bukidnon tribes people gather for an important event like a datuship ritual, a wedding, a thanksgiving festival during harvest time, a peace pact, or all of these put together.

The festival is held in the western city of Malaybalay, the capital, from the second half of February to March 10.

As an ethnic festival, the Kaamulan celebrates the customs and traditions of the seven tribal groups that originally inhabited the Bukidnon region—the Bukidnon, Higaonon, Talaandig, Manobo, Matigsalug, Tigwahanon and Umayamnon.

Representatives mingle with the local dwellers in town, and wear their intricately woven costumes studded with trinkets, anklets, earrings, necklaces, leglets, headdresses and amulets. They dance together, chant, perform ancient rituals, and compete in indigenous sports.