Kannawidan Festival: A Celebration Of Heritage In Ilocos Sur

Kannawidan Festival is an annual event held in Ilocos Sur between the end of January and the beginning of February that marks the creation of the province during the year of 1818. The term is derived from “Kannawidan,” a word in Ilocano which translates to “heritage,” reflecting the provience’s mission to preserve its culture.

This lively celebration has folk dances, customs, cuisines, music, arts, and crafts which are synonymous to the locano way of life. Traditional dances such as Pandanggo and Tadek, along with bagnet and empanada, which are the indigenous specialities, dominate the event booth exhibition. Apart from these, beauty and cooking contests, along with some religious ceremonies are also part of the celebration calendar.

In addition to culture, the festival also serves as an attraction for the area, providing more revenue for the small local businesses. This in turn enables the pride and unity for the Ilocanos and allows their customs to be passed down through time.