Sociocultural Implications of the Kaamulan Festival on Indigenous Cultural Practices among Selected Communities 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 sociocultural implications for Indigenous communities underexplored. This study therefore examines the sociocultural implications of the Kaamulan Festival on Indigenous cultural practices among selected communities in Bukidnon, Philippines. Using a qualitative case study design, the study collected data through ten (10) key informant interviews with Indigenous leaders and five (5) focus group discussions involving twenty-four (24) community members. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis. Findings indicate that participants perceived the Kaamulan Festival as both a site of cultural affirmation and a space where cultural authority, representation, Indigenous cultural governance, and commercialization are negotiated and contested. Participants described the festival as a significant platform for reinforcing Indigenous pride, identity, and cultural sustainability, while also highlighting 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.