Shariff Kabunsuan Festival

The Shariff Kabunsuan Festival should be on your bucket list if you love colors, culture, and history. A colorful festival commemorating the arrival of Shariff Kabunsuan via Rio Grande de Mindanao more than 500 years ago, it’s one of the most beloved Philippine festivals. 

So, if you need a little push to join this festival, we got your back. In this post, we’ll talk about everything you need to know about the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival.

Shariff Kabunsuan Festival History

The Shariff Kabunsuan Festival is a cultural event in the Philippines that commemorates the arrival of Shariff Kabunsuan to the shores of what is presently Cotabato City. 

Shariff Kabunsuan was an Arab-Malay Islamic missionary who wanted to spread Islam in the region. Believed to occur in the late 15th or early 16th century, his arrival marks the introduction of Islam in the area, specifically the Maguindanao region.

Eventually, Islam spread in the region, making Shariff Kabunsuan’s arrival a huge turning point in Mindanao’s history. Before he came, people in the region had indigenous beliefs and practices. 

His arrival also allowed Islam to be a major religion in Mindanao. Nowadays, Islam is the second most dominant religion in the region. Aside from introducing people to Islam, Shariff Kabunsuan also introduced them to new cultural practices, governance systems, and social norms.

Shariff Kabunsuan Festival honors this historical transformation. While it began as a local tradition, it became a significant cultural festival. It features the rich cultural heritage of the Maguindanao and other ethnic groups in Mindanao, reflecting their history, arts, beliefs, and way of life.

Shariff Kabunsuan Festival Description

Cotabato City’s Shariff Kabunsuan Festival is quite popular among foreigners and locals visiting their families in December. 

The event’s highlight is the grand fluvial parade along Rio Grande de Mindanao. The parade is followed by the re-enactment of his arrival. 

Since it’s a major event, people look forward to the activities lined up for the week-long celebration. 

Depending on the activities approved by the local government unit, the activities usually include the Alimango Festival, culinary arts competition featuring Muslim delicacies, water and ethnic sports competition, cultural musical showdown, Kulintang Ensemble Competition, Inaul Fashion Show, Philippine Legend Acrobatic Show, photo exhibit contest, and a week-long trade fair.

Other highlights of the Kabunsuan Festival include the Kuyog Street Dancing Parade, Banca Race, Kuyog Showdown, and Pagana sa Maguindanao. 

Capping the festivities is the Pagana Maguindanao, a solemn and traditional way of dining among  Maguindanaons and Maranaos in honor of special guests. 

During this time, visitors are offered traditional Muslim cuisine, including plil, inadtag, putrid sininang baka, and mandi, among others. The barefooted guests usually sit on the floor, with the meal starting with a prayer. After this, a cultural presentation is held. By the end of everything, the host will give tokens to the honored guests.

You see, the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival is more than just the colorful preservation of the Bangsamoro culture and the journey of the late Sultan. It also celebrates the solidarity, creativity, and resiliency of the people. It brings out their enthusiasm and shows how the people of Cotabato City survived the challenges caused by disasters and the pandemic. 

Shariff Kabunsuan Festival Costumes

The costumes at the event show the region’s rich cultural heritage. Boasting bright colors and intricate patterns, these costumes showcase the unique mix of indigenous, Islamic, and historical influences of the Maguindanao and other Mindanao ethnic groups.

During the festival, men usually wear long-sleeved shirts with intricate embroidery paired with trousers and a traditional cap. On the other hand, women wear traditional dresses or skirts with long sleeves. These usually come with a hijab or headscarf with beautiful designs. Both can also use the malong, a versatile garment, as the highlight of their attires. They also wear accessories. Women often wear elaborate headpieces, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. These are usually crafted from beads, gold, or silver. 

In addition, people joining the performances depicting historical events wear more elaborate costumes. They usually represent royal or noble attires with detailed embroidery and luxurious fabrics. The craftsmanship needed for these costumes features the artisanal skills passed down through generations. 

Shariff Kabunsuan Festival Date

The Shariff Kabunsuan Festival is held in December each year. It is celebrated in Cotabato City, Philippines, to commemorate the arrival of Shariff Kabunsuan, an Arab-Malay Islamic missionary who played a crucial role in the spread of Islam in the region. 

The exact dates of the festival may slightly vary each year, but it generally takes place in mid-December. 

Shariff Kabunsuan Festival Top Activities

Here are the top activities during the festival: 

1. Guinakit Fluvial Parade

The Guinakit Fluvial Parade is the highlight of the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival. During the parade, the arrival of Shariff Kabunsuan at Rio Grande de Mindanao aboard a guinakit (big, colorful bancas) is re-enacted.

2. Kuyog Street Dancing Competition

Most festivals in the Philippines can’t be complete without a street dancing competition. The Shariff Kabunsuan festival is no exception. 

During the competition, participants from different parts of Cotabato and Maguindanao gather to show their dancing skills. With colorful costumes and uplifting spirits, the participants will make you want to dance with them. 

3. River Cruise 

Last year, the local government unit of Cotabato introduced the river cruise in cooperation with the Department of Tourism of Region 12. You can enjoy a river cruise from Tamontaka River to Rio Grande de Mindanao aboard a colorful guinakit during this activity. Exciting, right? 

4. Agri-Trade Fair

The agri-trade fair features the agricultural products of Maguindanao and Cotabato City. During this activity, regional producers come together, focusing on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

5. Inaul Fashion Show

First done in 2003, the Inaul Fashion Show is one of the events people look forward to the most. During that time, only a few weavers exist. The tradition was dying, so the government decided to bring life to it. The fashion show got its inspiration from inawl, which came from their ancestors. Inaul or inawl is a Maguindanaoan traditional handwoven fabric known for its elegance and colors. It’s also hailed as one of the best fabrics in the Philippines. 

Nowadays, the fashion show celebrates Moro heritage through fashion that dates back hundreds of years ago. The Inaul Fashion Show features creativity, uplifts the weavers of Mindanao, and boasts local designers.

Food You Shouldn’t Miss in Cotabato

The Shariff Kabunsuan Festival offers a gastronomic experience you won’t forget. Here are the top dishes worth trying there: 

Curacha

Also known as spanner crab or red crab, curacha is a famous dish in Mindanao. This dish stands out because the crab retains its red color even after it’s cooked. 

The crustacean hybrid is native to the waters of Zamboanga and Sulu. Locals usually steam it and serve it with delicious sauce laid on a banana leaf. In some cases, curacha comes with vegetables on the side. 

Ginataang Manok

Also known as chicken stewed in coconut milk, ginataang manok is one of the most beloved dishes in the Maguindanao region. To make this dish, locals first sautee chicken with onion, garlic, and ginger. Then, they stew it in coconut milk. Most use native chicken to make the dish more flavorful.

Pastil

A popular dish often found in the streets of Maguindanao, pastil features rice covered in banana leaves. Locals use beef or chicken adobo strips as filling since Muslims don’t eat pork. 

Zamboanga also has its own version of the dish. In this version, the pastil looks like an empanada. But instead of pork and vegetables, they use pancit (rice noodles) filling.

Pyanggang

Similar to chicken barbecue but black, pyanggang is a Tausug dish. But don’t worry, because the black color doesn’t mean it’s burnt. The black color comes from one of the ingredients, coconut meat. You see, locals burn the coconut before grinding it. They then mix it with different spices to produce a paste or marinade for the chicken.

The condiment is called palapa (ginger, chilies, and sakurab). Cooks mix the meat with it until it becomes tender. They then grill it until cooked.

The spices pack chicken with intense, delicious flavors. Meanwhile, the burnt coconut brings out the chicken’s natural sweetness. While pyanggang is usually enjoyed by the Muslim community in specific areas like Sulu, Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi, some restaurants in Davao and Zamboanga serve it. Some restaurants in Quiapo, Manila, even serve their own versions of this flavorful indigenous dish.

Rendang

A dish originating from a neighboring country (Indonesia), rendang has a bit of a Filipino twist to it. 

The Filipino version of the dish is prepared differently from the original to suit the taste of the Maranao. Locals also substitute some of the ingredients with local ones. You see, locals crush the spices before frying and cooking the beef with coconut milk. In a sense, rendang is like caramelized curry.

Satti

A popular breakfast food in Mindanao, especially in Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, and Sulu, satti includes three small bits of meat (beef and chicken liver). Locals arrange the meat in a stick similar to a barbecue, then grill it. They then serve it with rice balls swimming in a sweet, spicy sauce.

Your spirit and soul will love this dish, especially when you wake up on a rainy morning. Locals usually grew up eating satti for breakfast. It’s a staple for many childhood memories. When you eat it, you’ll think about the island’s pleasant climate and the warmth of home. Many locals also see it as the ultimate comfort food since it’s delicious and easy to eat. 

Some even compare satti to satay. While there are some similarities, satti has a Filipino twist. For one, satti comes is served with red sauce and rice.

In Zamboanga City, satti is enjoyed by everyone— from young professionals and entrepreneurs to locals and foreigners, among others. Plus, satti is relatively cheap and easy to find in Mindanao. 

Kulma

Beef kulma (or just kulma) is like the offspring of beef curry and kare-kare. 

Locals cook the beef in coconut milk, peanuts, tomato sauce, and curry spices to make the dish. The dish is already unique from the sound of it, but wait until you taste it. 

Trust us, this beef stew is unlike anything you have tasted before. It’s so delicious and fantastic that you will crave it once you leave Mindanao. 

You may also want to pile on steamed rice because kalma has savory flavors thanks to its ingredients. In some cases, people add chili to their kulma, making it sizzle in your mouth. If you’re not up for it, you can ask the local restaurant to skip the chili. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Marking the arrival of the Islamic missionary Shariff Kabunsuan, the festival features colorful parades, traditional dances, delicious food, and elaborate costumes. This event not only honors history but also strengthens the community. 

So, what are you waiting for? Book those tickets, pack that luggage, and enjoy the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival this month. Happy travels! 

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