The Guinakit fluvial parade, celebrated annually on December 19 in Cotabato City, commemorates Shariff Mohammad Kabunsuan’s arrival in mainland Mindanao, featuring a vibrant procession of intricately adorned boats along the Rio Grande de Mindanao. (Marhom Ibrahim/BIO)
COTABATO CITY—Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim on Tuesday, Dec. 19, paid tribute to Shariff Kabunsuan, recognizing him as the cornerstone of the Bangsamoro identity and homeland.
“If there were no Shariff Kabunsuan, there would be no Bangsamoro and no Muslim Mindanao,” Ebrahim underscored during the Guinakit fluvial parade held along the Rio Grande de Mindanao.
The Guinakit Festival, celebrated annually every December 19, commemorates the 16th-century arrival of Shariff Mohammad Kabunsuan, who introduced Islam to mainland Mindanao.
The event features vibrant, ornately designed boats, once used by royal families, that navigate the region’s iconic river in a display of culture and history.
Chief Minister Ebrahim emphasized the festival as a vital recognition of the Bangsamoro’s rich heritage and enduring aspirations.
“This festival reflects the strength of our ancestors, the richness of our culture, and the aspirations woven into our collective spirit,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister Abuamri Taddik of Trade, Investments, and Tourism described the Guinakit boats as “time machines” that reconnect Bangsamoro citizens with their historical roots.
He added that the occasion not only celebrates the past but also the present, saying, “It is a testament to the creativity, resilience, and indomitable spirit of the Bangsamoro people.”
City Mayor Mohammad Ali “Bruce” Matabalao, represented by OIC City Administrator Mahaleah Dumama-Midtimbang, reiterated Cotabato City’s commitment to fostering unity and inclusivity as the heart of the Bangsamoro region.
Ebrahim urged his constituents to embrace the teachings of Shariff Kabunsuan, emphasizing compassion, faith, and an unyielding commitment to one another.
This year’s Shariff Kabunsuan Festival carries the theme, “Colors of Guinakit: Honoring the Past, Navigating the Future.”
(Johamin Inok/BIO)
