T'nalak Festival - Koronadal City, South Cotabato

The prestigious annual event, T'nalak Festival (Tinalak) is a day of festivity to commemorate the foundation anniversary of South Cotabato. This is celebrated middle of July in the provincial capital of Koronadal City.

The festival is named after the festival icon t'nalak, a colorful abaca cloth created and woven by the women of the province's T'boli tribe which is considered to symbolize the blending of culture, strength and unity of the various ethnic groups living in the province.

It is a showcase of T'boli culture through the display of their tribal arts and crafts and ethnic costumes, a street dancing parade, trade fair and sports events. Usually, the celebration kicks off with the Dayana Civic Parade highlighted by a float and cheer dance competition. It closes with the T'nalak Parade or Madal Bel'. Dancers from around the province, dressed in native costumes of B'laan, T'boli and other tribal groups in Mindanao, perform on the streets of the city.

The T’nalak is an intricately woven tapestry of intense and striking colors. The hues of intertwined abaca fabric depict the vivid spirit of the people whom this unique and artistic weaving has invariably come to represent.

This symbol of woven dreams is a fundamental part of South Cotabato culture, a culture steeped in mystique. The T’nalak Festival is an annual celebration that commemorates the Foundation Anniversary of the dynamic South Cotabato province amidst the dual presence of tradition and progress.

Much like the choreographed contrast of this unique tapestry, the T’nalak Festival is a mix of varied events that likewise characterize the South Cotabato people and their vibrant spirit, a people, whose distinct culture and multi-ethnicity contribute to the image of this emerging province – a province that is steadfast in weaving its wealth towards advancement, and a province undoubtedly beyond compare. From colorful street dancing, pulsating street parties and innovative trade expos the T’nalak Festival has it all.