Davao Tracing Roots

Davao City’s true wealth lies in its culture and history, thanks to the legacies of its indigenous and muslim tribes – Ovu Manuvu, K’Lata, Matigsalog, Tagabawa, Ata Manuvu, Kalagan, Sama, Tausug, Maranao, and Maguindanao.

According to historians, the word Davao is a result of the phonetic blending of words from three Bagobo sub-groups, meaning “beyond the higher grounds” or “over the hills yonder”, a reference to the location of Davao River, a trading settlement. When different tribes went to the area, they would say that they were going to davoh (Obo group, considered the earliest tribe to settle in the area), duhwow (Clatta group) or dabu (Tagabawa group) as the place was surrounded by the hills of Buhangin, Magtuod, Maa, and Matina.

Led by Alvaro de Saavedra, the Spaniards – the first non-natives to visit Davao – arrived in the region in 1528. After the Spanish troops slayed Moro leader Datu Bago in 1847, a local hero who protected Davao from foreign invaders, Don Jose Oyanguren became the first governor of the undivided Davao province and he renamed the place Guipuzcoa.

Way before World War ll, Dabawenyos had amicable relations with Japanese. In 1900, a group of Japanese established extensive plantations of abaca around the gulf area and was engaged in logging, fishing and trading. The increase of Japanese residents earned Davao the title Japan kuo or “Little Japan.”

Davao finally became a city in October 16, 1936 when President Manuel Quezon signed Commonwealth Act No. 51, also known as the Charter of the City of Davao.

History of Davao City

Welcome to Davao, one of Philippines most iconic travel destinations and home to an amazing array of sights, activities and events. Even first time visitors to Davao will quickly be enthralled by how fun and fascinating Davao really can be. For those looking a glimpse of the real Philippines, or just a fun night out, Davao mixes old world charm with a modern and vibrant night life. Click the general information links below for further information.

The Name
How the city got its name wasn’t really that epic as to how it has outdone number of foreign conquers like every city or region would have in history. The etymology of the word “Davao” is in fact a combination of phonetics of the three terms from three different subgroups of the Bagobo, the early inhabitants of Davao. The terms were used when referring to what is now the Davao River. One subgroup named Obos called the river as Davoh, the Clatta or Guiangans subgroup called it Duhwow or Davau, and the Tagabawa Bagobos named it Dabu.

Influences
The influence that got first in Davao was the Spanish influence. Davao was still ruled by a Muslim chieftain named Datu Bago when an expedition led by a Spanish Don Jose Uyanguren reached the city in 1848. They established a Christian colony in the area of Mangrove swamps which is now the Bolton riverside and had since set differences between the leaders. Uyanguren defeated Datu Bago from the rule and renamed the region Nueva Guipúzcoa. He became its first governor. However, Uyanguren failed to develop the area despite his efforts.

It was the presence of American forces few years after that paved the way for the region’s prosperity. In 1900, American influence started, private farm ownership grew and transportation and communication facilities were improved which led to the growth of economy.

The Japanese influence was first sighted in 1903 when a Japanese enterpreneur named Kichisaburo Ohta started exploiting territories and revolutionized into abacá and coconut plantations. Many Japanese plantation workers came into shores forming a little Japan. They formed a society with their own Shinto Shrine and established a wide commercial interests such as copra, timber, fishing and import-export trading. Improved cultivation was first learned by Filipinos from the Japanese and has led Agriculture to bec ame the core of province’s economic prosperity.

Inauguration
Davao was officially acknowledged chartered city on March 1, 1937 by Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon. 30 years later, Davao was subdivided into three independent provinces, namely Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental. Davao has become a place of ethnic diversity over the years as it continues to attract migrants from across the nation, drawn by the opportunities of getting rich in the country’s third largest city now