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Lanao del Norte

Araw ng Lanao del Norte

Araw ng Lanao del Norte is a founding anniversary and cultural festival in the province of Lanao del Norte, Philippines. It happens every July 4th. The date is a holiday in the province by virtue of Republic Act No. 11117 that was passed on October 30, 2018.

A week-long celebration, it showcases the culture and tradition of its people as well as the peaceful harmony of Christian and Muslim populations. Major activities occur in Tubod, the capital of the province.

History of Araw ng Lanao del Norte

Araw ng Lanao del Norte translates to Lanao del Norte Day. It remembers the historic establishment of the province. In 2012, it was called Karimbaran sa Ranao.

Founding of Lanao del Norte

Lanao del Norte is a province in Northern Mindanao region that also includes the provinces of Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Sur, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental. To the north it is bounded by Iligan Bay and to the west by Panquil Bay. Its name comes from ranao that refers to a body of water.

In the past, Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur were one entity called Lanao, which is also the name of the lake found in the middle of the province. Marawi City, used to be called Dansalan, was explored by the Spaniards in the early part of the 17th century. Its lands were home to the Maranaws (which means inhabitants of a lake) who are a Muslim group. They did not truly come under foreign rule in the centuries-long colonization of the Spaniards, its people fought fiercely against them. It was not until the period of American occupation these wars for independence of Mindanao ended in 1912. And Dansalan became a full-pledged municipality in 1904.

By 1914, Lanao was established as a province under the Department of Mindanao and Sulu. On May 22, 1959, the Province of Lanao was split into Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur. Araw ng Lanao del Norte commemorates July 4, 1959, the inaugural date of the new province and when Salvador T. Lluch was installed into power as the first governor.

Araw ng Lanao del Norte Activities

Events include tree planting, sports, extreme sports, thanksgiving mass, street dance, showdown of municipal festivals, rodeo, competitions such as in drum and lyre, sports (football, boxing, volleyball, basketball, lawn tennis), performing arts, mass feeding, job fair, medical and dental missions, and parade. In 2019, the week-long Araw ng Lanao del Norte is characterized by the dedication of each day to a particular theme. Opening activities on June 28 is the opening of the agri-aqua trade fair, followed by Youth Day (June 29), Environment Day (June 30), Friendship Game and Tourism Day (July 1), People’s Day (July 3) and closing activities on July 4.

Miss Lanao del Norte

Miss Lanao del Norte is a beauty pageant and a prestigious search in the province.

Sagayan Festival

Sagayan Festival is a cultural dance contest. It features sagayan, a war dance of the Maranao and Maguindanao. It depicts the adventures, might, and nobility of Datu Bantugan, the hero in the 14th century epic called Darangen. As it appears in the festival, it is performed together with the fan dance of female performers in multicolored attire.

Sagayan Festival is conducted in the eve of or days before the foundation day. It was included into the fest’s calendar of activities by virtue of Resolution No. 140 series of 1994. The event is participated by the different localities of the province.

How to reach Lanao del Norte

The province can be reached at through airports located in Cagayan de Oro (90 minutes via land travel) and Ozamiz City (30 minutes via barge).

References

Araw ng Lanao del Norte Summary

NameAraw ng Lanao del Norte
CelebrationFounding
Contact(063) 341 5174
CountryPhilippines
DateJuly 4
Duration1 week
Emailinformation_ldn@yahoo.com
Facebookweb.facebook.com
Instagramwww.instagram.com
LocationLanao del Norte
OrganizerProvincial Government of Lanao del Norte
Twittertwitter.com
Websitelanaodelnorte.gov.ph