Kannawidan: Amazing Culture & Historic Festival of Ilocos Sur

       

https://saluyot.wordpress.com/2015/02/02/kannawidan-ylocos-festival-2015/

             Kannawidan is an Ilocano word that means wealthy heritage and culture feast. It marks Ilocos Sur's foundation, which by a Royal Decree on February 2, 1818, divided the province from Ilocos Norte. The Kannawidan Ylocos Festival of the Ilocos Sur Province officially began in 2016. The festival features the province's heritage history.

 

With the traditional opening ceremony, headed by Gov. Ryan Singson along with the indigenous people of Ilocos Sur, the Bicentennial Ylocos Festival goes full blast. The festival shows Ilocos Sur's storied tradition, culture, history, arts, crafts and delicacies. Locals resurrected ancient traditions passed down by Ilocano elders at the annual Kannawidan Festival, but made it more important in 2019 because of the Bicentennial Kannawidan Ylocos festival celebration in the province. The conventional opener reveals the proof of identification that we have a society that we have shaped over the years, and we will begin our path to the future.

 

The festival of Kannawidan was also an opportunity to reinforce the culture of the Ilocano, to remember the sons and daughters of Ilocos Sur who gave honor to the province, to celebrate plentiful harvest or just celebrate the spirit of the Ilocano that continues to motivate locals to improve the province. Various trade, agriculture, aqua and livestock gatherings were held while the 17-day festival opened with a showcase of farm products. Tradition has also been seen in the culinary sweets cooked by locals, including delicacies for which Ilocos Sur is popular. Festivities were characterized by street dances and the product showcase of the 22 towns of the province. Street Dance was held by Ilocos Sur as one of the highlights of the events. The other activities for the festival include the boodle fight, a ceremony accompanied by the introduction of Ilocano traditions spiced with sporting competitions, Saniata ti Ilocos Sur, the Saint Paul Cathedral mass and procession, the exhibition of fireworks, and the motor displays and concerts.

 

It is the Ilocanos' way of offering thanks not only to the Almighty for the bountiful blessings, but also for the town's rich history, including the Ilocanos' strong family relations. This festival showcases the townspeople's deep-rooted religiosity. As a province, we will continue to pursue a more glorious future with its glorious history.

A New Normal Celebration

            For a variety of people around Vigan, Metro Vigan or even the whole Ilocos Sur, this season of cultural celebrations will be radically different as governments prohibit or forbid big gatherings and encourage people to stay home to slow down or avoid the spread of COVID-19.

            Hordes of visitors from other parts of the Philippines as well with foreigners will come here to witness the festivities like parades and street dancing. One of the parades celebrated is the Education Day Parade for the purpose is to highlight the importance of education and street dancing. There are also food fairs, arts and crafts exhibits, as well as a visiting carnival. We can no longer do these activities because of the pandemic and I’m like here reminiscing about the past—the old noise of the city, the energy and excitement of people when an artist comes here, heat for the crowd is too big, smell, sweat, dust of the ground and the persuasion of vendors.

            It is quite sad that we can’t do the activities as before but luckily amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the city government of Vigan has made a way to still celebrate it. Last January 25— the feast day of the conversion of St. Paul the Apostle, Vigan conducted Misa Concelebrada at St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral. If the activities were kept face to face previously, now it is conducted via virtual since the physical activities are deferred. Celebrations are still important even in this pandemic and this pandemic literally changing the way people celebrate major events. For the time being, the most important thing we have to do is to be careful, follow the implemented protocols and be safe at all times.

References:

https://www.facebook.com/vigancityph/photos

https://trip101.com/article/best-things-to-do-in-vigan-philippines