Socio-Cultural Implications of the Kaamulan Festival on Indigenous Cultural Practices in Bukidnon, Philippines

Abstract

Cultural festivals in the Philippines are widely recognized for their contributions to tourism and local economic development. However, scholarly attention has predominantly centered on business and economic outcomes, leaving the socio-cultural implications for Indigenous communities underexplored. Hence, this study examines the socio-cultural implications of the Kaamulan Festival on Indigenous cultural practices in Bukidnon. Using a qualitative case study design, data were collected through ten (10) key informant interviews with Indigenous leaders and five (5) focus group discussions involving twenty-four (24) community members. The data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s (2020) thematic analysis framework. Findings reveal the Kaamulan Festival as both a site of cultural affirmation and a space where issues of cultural authority, representation, Indigenous cultural governance, and commercialization are contested. While the festival serves as a significant platform for reinforcing Indigenous pride, identity, and cultural sustainability, it also produces tensions as cultural practices are negotiated within institutional and tourism-oriented contexts. These dynamics reflect broader negotiations between heritage preservation and festival governance. The study concludes that strengthening meaningful consultation processes and ensuring adherence to customary protocols are essential to safeguarding Indigenous cultural integrity within institutionalized festival settings.