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FESTIVALS as GATEWAYS OF TOURISM: Preserving Traditions and Promoting Tourism
Princess Marie Carmen Lorilla
School of Technology
University of the Philippines in the Visayas
Kim Ki-Beak
Kangnung National University
Maria Carla Bren Vianney Yap
Humanities Division
University of the Philippines in the Visayas- Cebu College
Festivals, old and new may be held for a variety of reasons. While some are for commemorating an important historical event, others are celebrated to honor a god or an influential person. A number of festivals are also celebrated to showcase a region's local product or delicacy. But most importantly, festivals are observed to preserve and appreciate the traditions of a culture.
Because festivals reflect the culture of the people living within a certain region, they play a great role in a country's tourism. They may only be celebrated once in a year but they definitely boost a country's economy as it is the opportune time for foreigners and local residents to interact, taste local culture and in most or some cases, introduce their culture as well.
Being a large continent, Asia has an interesting wide mix of cultures that are individually unique yet similar in some ways with one another. For instance, some of our practices have evolved from similar human ideals and behavioral patterns. Likewise, both the Korean and Filipino cultures celebrate festivals with a history deeply associated with the religiousity of the races. There is the Sinulog Festival from Cebu, Philippines, the Danoje Festival from Gangneung, Korea, and the Dinagyang Festival from Iloilo, Philippines . These festivals have made their mark in the world map and are being sought after by people from different parts of the world.
As we inch closer to a smaller global village, there is more need for us to evaluate the current tourism situations of our individual countries to be able to cater to a wider audience while at the same time, protect the culture that we have been trying to preserve for the past years. We likewise aim to recognize the weak tourism points of our festivals and to consolidate tourism strategies for their improvement.
SINULOG FESTIVAL (Cebu City, Philippines)
Every year on the third Sunday of January, the stage is set for the island paradise of Cebu, Philippines to show off to the world a vibrant display of a culture embraced by most of its people. Known for the pristine beauty of its beaches and the warm hospitality of its people, Cebu has become a target destination for tourists from all over the world, especially for its annual celebration of the Sinulog Festival.
The term Sinulog was named after the popular "two steps forward, one step backward" dance step of the festival, which is similar to the "sulog" or current of what was then known as Cebu's Pahina River.
It is said that even before the Spanish conquistadors arrived in the Philippines, early Filipinos celebrated the Sinulog by dancing in front of their wooden idols or anitos. When Magellan came to the island to introduce Christianity on April 7, 1521, he brought with him an image of the Sto. Ni�o and gave it to Queen Juana. Unfortunately, Magellan was killed by Lapu-lapu in the famous battle of Mactan. Magellan's men went back to Spain to report the incident. It was only 44 years after the first attempt that Spain sent a second group, this time with Miguel Lopez de Legazpi taking the lead to Christianize the natives. He and his men found the image of the Sto. Ni�o among the images of the natives' idols and anitos. They have been in fact performing dance rituals in honor of the Sto. Ni�o.
Today, the image of the Sto. Ni�o continues to be worshipped by Filipino Christians, especially that reports of its miracle wonders have spread and Sinulog, considered the "link between the Philippines' pagan past and its Christian present" continues to be widely and lavishly celebrated.
Street dancers would don the most colorful costumes and liven up the streets with their unique upbeat dance steps and well-thought choreography while street onlookers would endure the scorching heat of the midday sun to partake in the tradition deeply rooted in religious belief. Children would enjoy the sight of higantes towering over the dancers and the floats of different sizes and designs. Other people would color their hair or paint their faces to symbolize the revelry of the occasion. And during the celebration itself, people would keep on chanting the popular line, "Pit Se�or!"
Over the years, the celebration of the Sinulog has evolved to include the participation of advertisers and movie stars. From the traditional celebration, it has grown to become a commercial venue to attract the tourists. In fact, during the festival season, hotels in Cebu would be fully booked with visitors from other countries. The Sinulog has also become a competition for the best choreographers and the best dance groups nationwide.
DANOJE FESTIVAL (Gangneung, South Korea)
The Danoje Festival of Gangneung is a centuries-old festival of Korea that stands out as a unique tradition. Unlike some Korean festivals that are shamanic, folk music-oriented, mask drama-oriented or pastime-oriented, the Danoje has a good blend of everything. It has Gangneung Dano shamanic rituals, Gangneung farmers' music, Gangneung Gwanno mask dance, seasonal pastimes and ritual pastimes. This comprehensive festival is celebrated to ask for prosperity in farming and fishing. By worshipping the mountain deity and tutelary deities, the people believe that their prayers for abundance in farming and fishing may be granted.
In the Joseon period, the Danoje festival was held on Dano, the 5th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar. Nowadays, this festival lasts for almost a month. On the 5th day of the 4th month of the lunar calendar, the sacred liquor is brewed. This is followed by the welcoming of the Daegwallyeong Ridge royal tutor tutelary deity on the 15th day of the 4th month of the lunar calendar. From the 3rd day to the 7th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar, the main events are being held.
Other activities included in the festival are setting lanterns adrift on Namdaecheon Stream as prayers are offered, playing Korean-style wrestling (ssireum), swinging contests, playing farmers' music as a way to relieve the fatigue of labor and the playing tug-of-war.
For the Koreans, the Danoje festival is not merely a chance to amuse themselves. The event also has religious importance. Confucianism, shamanism, Buddhism and Taoism contribute to the folk beliefs in traditional society. As a result, the Danoje festival incorporates a little bit of each religion.
Confucian rites are used by men to pray for the peace and prosperity of regional society. Shamanic beliefs are used by women for praying for peace and happiness in their families. The royal tutor tutelary deity which they worship is Royal Tutor Beomil, a prominent who lived at the end of the silla period. This shows the influence of Buddhism. And finally, the shrine to the mountain deity on Daegwallyeong Ridge also shows Taoist influences.
The Danoje Festival is now considered as the Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 13.
DINAGYANG FESTIVAL (Iloilo City, Philippines)
Characterized by rhythmic drum beating and black-painted bodies, the Dinagyang Festival has always been cherished by the people from Iloilo. It all started in 1968 when Fr. Sulpicio Ebderes, OSA brought a Sr. Santo Nino ("Holy Child Jesus") replica from Cebu City to the San Jose Parish Church in Iloilo.. Since then, a festival has been made to commemorate the Christianization of the natives and to honor the Holy Child Jesus.
This annual festival is celebrated every 4th Sunday of January and can be considered as a socio-cultural-religious practice. It does not only serve as a time of thanksgiving and offering but also as an area of competition for various Iloilo provinces and schools.
All of the competing groups, or tribes as we call them, are made up of two sub-groups namely the drummers and the Ati performers. Ati refers to the Filipino natives who by nature, are dark in color and have kinky black hair. That's why on the day of the Dinagyang Festival, it is a very common sight to see groups of people with black-painted bodies, tattoed faces and bright-colored costumes.
Each performing tribe must present at five judging areas situated around the downtown. The streetdancing that is done while the tribes transfer from one judging area to another is another great attraction to tourists. Moreover, the sound systems and numerous food stalls installed around the city give a more festive mood to the event. The merry tribal parade around the downtown is likewise accompanied by a fluvial procession of the latest television shows and commercial products. Because of this a lot of people wait by the sidewalks so they can take a glimpse of their favorite celebrities and get lots of commercial freebies as well.
The word Dinagyang is rooted from the Ilonggo word "Dagyang" which means "to make merry". Pacifico Sumagpao Sundario, an old-time Ilonggo writer, introduced this term and eventually it was adopted as the festival's name. The name Dinagyang actually came much later than the beginnings of the festival. It was only in 1977 when the festival's name was launched.
For 38 years now, the Dinagyang festival of Iloilo has not failed to impress the people with local tradition and history. It may only be celebrated for one day but the Ilonggos take it as a special treat from all of our worries.
STRATEGIC POINTS FOR IMPROVEMENT
A trend is growing in the festival celebrations, one which focuses not on preserving the traditions of the local cultures for future generations but on the lure of advertising. In the cases of the Sinulog and the Dinagyang Festivals, although more tourists still participate in the celebrations, the local culture and the people are the ones caught between the tug-of-war for profit. Somehow, it has also corrupted the meaning of the celebrations. People would attend the festivals, not because they want to observe a tradition in their religion but to see their favorite movie stars or to avail of the freebies given away.Hence, we strongly recommend that the committee tasked to organize the festivals take a look at the situation and analyze how the region or the country can still attract tourists without losing the real essences of what the festivals really stand for.
Talking about a smaller global village would also mean suggesting that the local regions now introduce and incorporate international activities in their local festivals. During the Danoje Festival for instance, organizers can invite performers from different countries each year so that the people can also experience other cultures. The Sinulog and the Dinagyang Festivals may also invite performers from different parts of the Philippines and the other parts of the world. In this manner, the regions are allowing more participation from other countries and they could bring in more tourists as well. More importantly, this is a strategic venue to share each other's cultures and maintain a peaceful relationship with other countries.
A wise man once said, "Those who do not know how to nurture their past will not be able to soar to greater heights in the future." The traditions in our culture may be merely things of the past -- things that probably (only) our ancestors firmly believed in or practiced. But we should keep in mind that we are also part of that culture. Hence, it is part of our social responsibility to uphold that culture, nurture and keep its traditions because our past will lead us to the present and guide us through our future.
SOURCES:
Dinagyang
http://asiarecipe.com/phifestival.html
www.sunstar.com.ph/specials/dinagyang%202003/main.html
www.tabligan..org/AIM/dinagyang.htm
Danoje
http://www.unesco.org/culture/intangible-heritage/33apa_uk.htm
www.cha.go.kr/english/world_heritage/danoje.jsp
http://english.tour2korea.com/02Culture/TraditionalCulture/dano.asp?kosm=m2_3&konum=subm6_14
Sinulog
http://sinulog.ph/about_sinulog/background
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