Kannawidan: Pride of the Ilocanos

Kannawidan Ylocos Festival is one of the famous festivals in Ilocos Sur. A festival celebrated yearly in the Province of Ilocos Sur to commemorate the separation of the two Ilocos provinces, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, under the Royal Decree signed on February 2, 1818. This Kannawidan Ylocos Festival showcases the best in Ilocano culture– indigenous performances, religious rituals, traditional games and dances, cooking demos, and competition featuring the best of Ilocano dishes and other numerous activities and shows featured during the span of celebration of the festival that usually starts during the last week of January and ends on the first week of February.

It has been a tradition that during the opening of the festival, a mass is held at the St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral then, followed by a procession of the Patron Saints of the 40 parishes in Ilocos Sur, showcasing the deeply rooted religiosity of the Ilocanos. On the opening day of the festival before the “festivities” start, a traditional ritual is performed by the elders of ethnic minorities in the province, asking for the blessing of Kabunian for the success of the festival. The Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur created this event to encourage younger generations to be aware of, learn about, and appreciate the province's rich cultural heritage, practices, and traditions to preserve the Ilocanos' rich and unique culture.

This festival has become significant to every Ilocano not only because of the commemoration of the founding of Ilocos Sur but has also become a venue for them to showcase to the world the rich history and culture of the Ilocano people.

Reference:
https://philippines.travel/events/kannawidan-ylocos-festival
https://depedilocossur.info/?p=2011

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