My mom recently attended the celebration of Albanifest Winterthur Festival in Winterthur, Switzerland. She had witnessed lots of culinary delights, games, toys and other amusements where visitors truly enjoyed and had some fun.
And speaking of their culinary delights, one of their favorite is the Suckling pig which is known in German cuisine as Spanferkel.
It can be roasted in the oven or grilled, and is often served at festive occasions such as Oktoberfest and Albanifest festival.
While I was trying to look back my photos which was saved here in my computer, Ive seen and reminisce some of our photo memories when we visited our hometown in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. I really missed the place where I grew up with because I never got the chance to visit back my hometown since I moved and resided in another place.
My last visit was 10 years ago when I was still studying in high school. There has been a lot of changes in my place since I moved in. Aside from its structural changes, most of the people living there are all strangers. I did not know anyone of them. I can’t seem to find my childhood friends and relatives too. It seems like I am already a stranger in my own place.
Anyway, back in witnessing the festival in my native place, I really miss watching it. I miss my grandmother who used to be one of the active dancer and participant of the street dancing competition which is the highlight of the festival.We call it Kaamulan from the Binukid word amul which means to gather. It is a gathering of Bukidnon tribal people for a purpose. It means a datuship ritual, a wedding ceremony, a thanksgiving festival during harvest time, a peace pact, or all of these put together.
Showcasing the unique indigenous culture of Bukidnon, Kaamulan is held annually in the province of Bukidnon, particularly in my beloved hometown in Malaybalay City. It is usually held every 1st week of the month of March.
As an ethnic festival, Kaamulan celebrates the customs and traditions of the seven tribal groups that originally inhabited the Bukidnon region. Several tribal folks representing these seven hill tribes of Bukidnon gather in unity with the local dwellers in town, wearing 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.
Aside from the street dancing competition, Kaamulan also showcases products and local establishments that abound in the province. These are displayed in the Garden Show, Food Fest, Kaamulan Bazaar, Agri-fair, and Livestock Show. Crowd-drawing events such as the Motocross, Off-road Competition, Rodeo, Amateur Boxing, Invitational Basketball Tournament, Adventure Races, concerts, and several others are also roped into the festivity.
Kaamulan heralds the symbolic breakthrough of their long quest for meaning and identity. And to the new generation, the old local folks and even visiting foreigners, the Kaamulan has become an avenue for the recognition and appreciation of Bukidnon’s unraveled cultural legacy carefully preserved by the traditional population. Kaamulan is indeed an interesting ground for the unification of the people of Bukidnon. The one that converges the past and the present, celebrates its rich culture and inspires its people.