Galit Festival 2023

       Hello! Welcome to Gakit Festival 2023

One of the most well-known feasts of Angadanan is the Gakit Festival, an annual celebration held at the Cagayan River. It was reintroduced to serve as a reminder to Angadanians of their legacy of ingenuity and independence.

East and West Districts of the municipality are separated by the Cagayan River. The Gaddangs, who are Angadanan's indigenous people, used to travel by boat on the Cagayan River. Bamboos and "kawayan" are found practically everywhere in the municipality, including along riverbanks, in plains, in forests, and on the sides of hills. Due to its abundance, people used this indigenous material to construct the "Gakit".

“GAKIT” is a Gaddang term for raft or balsa. It is made of several bamboo poles bonded together by  bamboo ropes (bambam). The town people offer fruits, vegetables, poultry, and livestock as thanksgiving for their abundant bounty. This practice reminds Angadanians of their tradition of planting crops and raising poultry in their backyard.

A religious rite called the "IMMUNU" is done prior to the construction of the "Gakit." This is done to ensure the users of "Gakit" may safely cross the Cagayan River. A large chicken and a black native pig are brought to the place by the owner of the "Gakit" and the "mengal" (prayer person). A religious hymn is chanted by the "mengal" before the chicken's neck is sliced and served through a single, powerful bolo cut. As its blood spurts in every direction, the headless chicken is free to run. Additionally, the Gakit's owner receives a tattoo of chicken blood on his forehead. Prayer is recited when the chicken becomes rigid. The "mengal" carries the chicken home, dresses it, and prepares it for cooking so he can eat it. The owner cannot consume the meal; it is prohibited. The construction procedure itself doesn't start until this religious rite is complete. After the construction of the "Gakit," the “wari” (food offering) consisting of a cup of cooked glutinous rice, one boiled egg, one glass of “binarayan” (sugarcane wine), three “mama” (betel nut, lime, “gawed”), three tobacco cigars, one glass of water, and a piece of red and white cloth is brought to the river bank at six o’clock in the evening. The spirits are called and asked to partake of the food. The “wari” is left overnight and scattered in the river as the sun rises the following morning.

The utilization of handmade bamboo rafts during the Gakit Festival also represents the unification of Angadanians. A bamboo stick by itself won't float in water. However, if numerous bamboo poles are joined together to form one, they become a raft that can float and sail on the waters of the Cagayan people. Individual Angadanians can only achieve minor outcomes. However, when they work together, they will produce fantastic results, ensuring the prosperity and advancement of their town.

http://www.localphilippines.com/events/gakit-festival

My experience with this year's celebration of the Gakit Festival.

The Gakit Festival Fluvial Parade, which been taken place in April 16, 2023, brings together representatives from many Angadanan regions to display their artistic skill in crafting balsa (rafts). There were 15 participants, and there are 4 barangays each participant. This year's festival has a Disney Movies theme, and the characters play a part in showcasing their own regions. All of the rafts are equally lovely, colorful, and made of natural or recyclable materials.

Fruits, vegetables, poultry, and cattle are offered as gifts during the celebration as a token of gratitude for the great harves.

The winner's are:

Champion -     #5         (91.60%)

(Centro 1,2,3&Rancho Basillio)

1 runner-up -  #12       (91%)

 (San Guillermo,Dalakip & CUMU)

2nd runner-up - #6      (90%)(Bagangcuag,Sinabaran,Calabayan Minanga & Baniket)

3rd runner-up - #4        (88.30%)  (Minanga prop.,Ingud Sur,San Anbrocio & Lomboy?

4th runner-up  - #7       (87%) (Pissay,Bawi,Kalusutan&Macalauat).

For their efforts and for the advancement of 

the community in each Barangay, the winners will each get a monetary award.

It honors people's abilities and knowledge.

It stands for the idea that everyone can be creative in their own way. In order to create the best things we possibly can, like a raft, we truly need teamwork, cooperation, and innovation. The activity also reminds Angadanians of their custom of growing crops and keeping chickens in their own backyards for their own food. After all, two or more heads are better than one.

Gakit Festival has significant social and economic advantages in addition to its inherent value. Enhancing our quality of life and boosting overall wellbeing for both individuals and communities through better learning and health, enhanced tolerance, and social opportunities helps form the structure and foundation of our families and our society. They remind us that we are part of a history that defines our past, shapes who we are today, and shapes who we are likely to become. Once we ignore the meaning of our traditions, we're in danger of damaging the underpinnings of our identity.

https://www.lgu-angadanan.com

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