Sandugo Festival

The Fiesta de Sandugo is a festival held annually on the Philippine island of Bohol. This celebration commemorates the blood contract and the alliance between the indigenous chieftain Datu Sikatuna and the Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi on March 16 1565th

History

It all started with the arrival of Miguel López de Legazpi on the coast of Tagbilaran, Bohol, in 1565 and the drop of an oath to the Spanish crown Datu Sikatuna. The chief and the conquistador added to this with a dagger a cut in her left arm and left to flow into a bowl filled with wine the blood. They drank the blood mixed with both of their wine on their friendship and brotherhood.

The Feast

The official celebration of the Sandugo begins in the month of March. The dance competition, however, was postponed for unknown reasons on July.

Thousands of people visit every year this festival, which is accompanied by loud trumpets and drum beats, beauty pageants, cockfighting, sports tournaments, church services and fireworks.