Shariff Kabunsuan Festival 2013 in Cotabato City

The annual Shariff Kabunsuan Festival will be once again celebrated this coming December 14-19, 2013 in Cotabato City.

A commemoration of the arrival of Shariff Kabunsuan, an Arab-Malay missionary from Johore to the island of Mindanao, the festival is one of the most significant event not only for the Muslims of Cotabato City and Region 12 but to the whole of Muslim Mindanao. Shariff Kabunsuan is said to be the one who introduced Islam to the natives in the 16th Century which then lead to the establishment of the Muslim sultanates of Maguindanao, Rajah Buayan and Kabuntalan.

Activities during Shariff Kabunsuan Festival includes ethnic sports, cultural street parade, banca race, the re-enactment of the arrival of Shariff Kabunsuan, cultural presentations and the Guinakit Fluvial Parade along the Rio Grande de Mindanao.

The colorful Guinakit Fluvial Parade commemorates the arrival of Shariff Kabunsuan.

Muslim woman on board one of the Guinakits (banca) during the fluvial parade