Assumption College of Davao

Last January 29-30, 2010 was the blessing of the Tribal House in Kibalatong, Malabog, Paquibato District, Davao City. To express solidarity with the indigenous community, the Missionaries of the Assumption (m.a.) sisters, students, faculty and staff of Assumption College of Davao (ACD) went to Brgy. Kibalatong to witness the blessing of the Tribal House also called as the Museum of the Lumads.

Early morning next day, the community, led by the elders performed several rituals to greet the opening of the year. The first rite is called Sunggud Tu Kamanga which is a yearly celebration to welcome the year and to thank the spirits of the forest who also served as the guardians of their farms and farming tools. In this ritual, the Datu and other tribal leaders symbolically feed the spirits by including the farm implements in the ritual table.

After the ritual, a program called Sahakuon ensued. Parents and children present their tribal dances highlighted by a dance drama that depicted the history of their tribe. This is intrinsic among indigenous peoples to strengthen their identity through cultural regeneration. It was indeed an opportunity for the m.a. and ACD contingent not only to plainly witness the rituals but to enflesh cultural solidarity and respect indigenous spirituality.