The City of Cotabato holds every month of December the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival. It is a colorful week-long celebration which commemorates the arrival of Shariff Kabunsuan, an Arab missionary who is believed to have brought Islam in this part of the country.
Here are things you should see and experience during the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival in Cotabato City:
1. Guinakit Fluvial Parade
The Guinakit Fluvial Parade is one of the main highlights of Shariff Kabunsuan Festival. It is during this activity that the arrival of the Arab missionary at Rio Grande de Mindanao aboard a guinakit or colorfully-decorated big bancas is reenacted.
2. Kuyog Street Dancing Competition
A festival is never complete without the streetdancing competition. In Shariff Kabunsuan Festival, the competition is participated by contingents coming from different parts of Cotabato and Maguindanao.
3. River Cruise at Rio Grande de Mindanao
This year, the City Government of Cotabato together with the Department of Tourism-12 is introducing this another exciting activity in Shariff Kabunsuan Festival. Imagine yourself on a river cruise exploring Tamontaka River to Rio Grande de Mindanao aboard a colorful guinakit.. exciting!
4. Experience the Grand Pagana
Usually held at the People's Palace or the new Cotabato City Hall, it is a communal feasting wherein foods are shared by the community and guests.
5. Visit the Grand Mosque
A visit to Cotabato City wont be complete without visiting the Grand Mosque in Kalanganan Dos. Also known as Masjid Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, this is the largest mosque in the country.
6. Try Cotabato City Delicacies
Cotabato City is known for crabs. Also a must-try when in Cotabato City are Maguindanaoan foods like the easy to find pastil.
7. Buy local products at Festival Bazaar
During Shariff Kabunsuan Festival, local entrepreneurs get to showcase their products. This year, the festival bazaar will be held at CityMall Convention Center from December 14-18.
1. Guinakit Fluvial Parade
The Guinakit Fluvial Parade is one of the main highlights of Shariff Kabunsuan Festival. It is during this activity that the arrival of the Arab missionary at Rio Grande de Mindanao aboard a guinakit or colorfully-decorated big bancas is reenacted.
A festival is never complete without the streetdancing competition. In Shariff Kabunsuan Festival, the competition is participated by contingents coming from different parts of Cotabato and Maguindanao.
3. River Cruise at Rio Grande de Mindanao
This year, the City Government of Cotabato together with the Department of Tourism-12 is introducing this another exciting activity in Shariff Kabunsuan Festival. Imagine yourself on a river cruise exploring Tamontaka River to Rio Grande de Mindanao aboard a colorful guinakit.. exciting!
4. Experience the Grand Pagana
Usually held at the People's Palace or the new Cotabato City Hall, it is a communal feasting wherein foods are shared by the community and guests.
A visit to Cotabato City wont be complete without visiting the Grand Mosque in Kalanganan Dos. Also known as Masjid Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, this is the largest mosque in the country.
Cotabato City is known for crabs. Also a must-try when in Cotabato City are Maguindanaoan foods like the easy to find pastil.
7. Buy local products at Festival Bazaar
During Shariff Kabunsuan Festival, local entrepreneurs get to showcase their products. This year, the festival bazaar will be held at CityMall Convention Center from December 14-18.
