In a farming village in Santa Cruz town, residents celebrate Epiphany or the Feast of the Three Kings not just with three kings but with four.

Unlike in other Catholic parishes that observe the occasion with three local men dressed in a king’s garb going around the community riding in horses, residents of Barangay Hupi celebrate a fourth king who rides a carabao (water buffalo).

The unique tradition is known in the province as the Haring Karabaw festival. Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/130487/marinduque-village%e2%80%99s-%e2%80%98haring-karabaw%e2%80%99#ixzz582MpqQEm

HARING KARABAW FESTIVAL

Photo from: http://marinduquegov.blogspot.com/2011/01/haring-karabao-of-hupi.html

The carabaos are very important part of Marinduque’s livelihood. Aside from helping the farmers, they do more satisfying jobs and are one way of transportation in the farm.

To recognize their efforts, people of Marinduque celebrate the Haring Kalabaw every 3^rd week of January. It is a festival where the carabaos are dressed and parade around the barangay. The happy thing is that while in the parade, participants are dancing and singing with the beat of the drums. After the parade there is night long merrymaking in the town. Read More: https://www.vigattintourism.com/tourism/articles/January-Festivals-of-Marinduque-Unveiling-Cultural-Treasures

Photo from: http://marinduquegov.blogspot.com/2011/01/haring-karabao-of-hupi.html