MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews/23 October) – How the Lumad and Moro people of Mindanao achieved peace after years of hostilities between them will be featured in one of the eight entries to the Kaamulan 2015 street dancing competition here on Saturday, Oct. 24.
This will be the theme of the presentation by the contingent from Kitaotao, a town in southern Bukidnon inhabited by the Matigsalug tribe.
The town’s entry will depict the story of sisters Apo Tambunaway and Apo Imamalu. Rajah Solaiman, a Muslim ruler, married Tambunaway, who converted to Islam.
“To avoid conflict, the two sisters agreed among themselves that Tambunaway will stay with her husband in the lowlands while Imamalu will have the highlands as her domain,” according to the storyline submitted to the Provincial Tourism Office Friday.
But conflict ensued between the two groups resulting in casualties and damage. After curses caused suffering on both sides, the two groups held talks which ended in a blood compact.
“An agreement was reached that there will be no more atrocities done by the Muslims to the highlanders …
Since then peace reigned among the Matigasalugs and the Muslims (who) consider themselves cousins,” the story said.
Valencia City’s contingent will feature a pre-harvest thanksgiving feast called “Kaglagun.”
Malitbog town will feature “Bungkatol Ha Bulawan” which means “treasured unity” or “Code of Conduct”. This depicts the code that guides the conduct of men for a good and just society.
Malaybalay City will portray a Tampuda Hu Balagun, an expression of “sincere desire for peace and moving on” after years of revenge and hatred between two clans.
Don Carlos town will feature the legend of Lake Pinamaloy and why locals do not eat anything that comes from the lake.
Maramag town will feature the story of the local people’s festive riverine ritual and a tribute to the late tribal leader Datu Mayda Pandian.
Pandian, who died a few weeks ago, was the first Lumad mandatory representative to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Manolo Fortich will present the story of Dahilayan, a beautiful and hardworking lady narrated in the Olag’ng, Bukidnon’s ancient prose narrative.
Cabanglasan town will portray festival dances to celebrate progress and success of the Umayamnon’s daily hard work.
Contingents from Bukidnon’s two cities and six of its 20 towns will compete in the street dancing, float parade, and ground presentation competitions, according to the Provincial Tourism Office.
The two cities participate in the competition every year but the 20 towns take turns for about six to eight towns a year due to budget constraints.
Last year, Bukidnon held the Kaamulan from August to September 1 to coincide with the province’s centennial.
Hansel Echavez, head of the Provincial Public Affairs Assistance and Information Office said there is a plan to celebrate the next Kaamulan from February to March 2016, its original schedule prior to the centennial celebration.
Kaamulan 2015 focuses on the theme: “Local culture: an important tool in sustaining progress and development in local government.”
Kaamulan comes from the Lumad word “amul-amul” or “gathering”. (Walter I. Balane/Contributor)
