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.