Sumayajaw Festival Jabonga, Agusan del Norte

 Held during the town fiesta of Jabonga. It is a thanksgiving celebration for the bounties showered by the Heavenly Father through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Lady of Assumption.

Jabonganons living in other places will really come home to Jabonga to witness the Sumayajaw Festival. It is a festival celebrated annually in Jabonga every 15th of August, the fall of the Feast of Our Lady of Assumption. This is a thanksgiving offering through songs, dances and “Luwa” (lyrical poem) for the bounties showered by the Heavenly Father through the intercession of Our Lady of Assumption – the Patroness of Jabonga.

Sumayajaw dates back as far as one can remember. But the staging of Sumayajaw as a festival began in 2002 with Rev. Fr. Almado C. Ecarma, the Parish Priest, at the helm believing that Sumayajaw would not only unite the Jabonganons but would also bond with the visitors as they gather at the Town Square.

Sumayajaw Festival was purely a thanksgiving celebration for the bounties received and forthcoming. The following year, 2003 categories were created. Category A is a group dance competition. Contestants from the neighboring municipalities come to join. Big amount of cash prizes await the winners. Category B is a non-contest. It is merely a participation to retain the essence of Sumayajaw.

Sumayajaw showcases the ethnic attire and colorful props. It shows to the world the creativity of the people in showing gratitude to the Almighty for the blessings received. Sumayajaw is a great attraction to the townsfolk and tourists as well.