(WESTERN) SAMAR FESTIVALS

Samar is divided into three parts – Northern Samar, Western Samar and Eastern Samar. For purposes of clarity, Western Samar is simply referred to or called SAMAR.

The city of Calbayog and some towns in Samar celebrate their own festivals aside from Samar’s town fiesta every year. In other towns, the fiesta is celebrated together with the town festival, while others celebrate it separately. However, during the Samar Day Celebration, all municipalities are welcome to participate in the contest of festivals during the parade wherein the participants try their best to get the winning prize. Colorful costumes and dances can be seen in the parade. – Read More: http://samar.lgu-ph.com/festivals.htm

Banigan Kawayan Festival

Photo from: https://allaboutbanig.wordpress.com/2013/02/10/banig-festival/

The most awaited Banigan Festival will be held at Basey, Samar on September 28, 2014. Basey is the municipality in Samar province. The people of Basey will be celebrating the Banigan Festival again as an annual event on September 28 until September 29. Banigan Festival is also known as Kawayan – Banigan Festival. This festival is a yearly dance parade of different kinds of mats. This festival shows the 2 main source of livelihood in Basey. These are the bamboo weaving and the mat weaving. It is being celebrated up until now to continue the tradition that has been passed to them for many years. Read More: http://www.metrokelan.com/festivals-and-fairs/banigan-kawayan-festival_i6878

Carabao Festival

Photo from: https://article.wn.com/view/2013/08/13/Carabao_Festival_triumphs_in_Samar_Day/

Their fast, synchronized and energetic dancing has earned the admiration of the crowd and the nod of judges during the festival competition that depicts the culture, tradition and way of life in Samar.

Performers of the Carabao Festival of Gandara town, which pays tribute to the draft animal that helps people till their farms and provides milk for Gandara kesiyo (native cheese), were declared grand champions in the Festival of Festival competition.

In colorful attire, they acted as carabao bulls, herons, medicine men and villagers in portraying rural life. They danced, pranced, ran and fell to the ground to the rhythmic beating of the drums, with the lead dancer carrying an image of St. Michael de Archangel, Gandara’s patron saint. Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/467257/a-festive-day-of-pride-for-samarenos#ixzz4ZGRSxR6t