Philippines National Indigenous People's Thanksgiving Day
Thursday, October 29, 2026
The Philippines National Indigenous People's Thanksgiving Day is observed annually on October 29 as part of the National Indigenous Peoples Month celebration. Established through Proclamation No. 1906 in 2009 by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the day honors the cultural heritage, traditions, and contributions of the indigenous peoples (IPs) of the Philippines, who number approximately 14 to 17 million across more than 110 ethnolinguistic groups. These groups include the Igorot of the Cordillera region, the Lumad of Mindanao, the Mangyan of Mindoro, and many others. The Thanksgiving Day promotes awareness of indigenous rights, particularly those enshrined in the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997, also known as Republic Act 8371. This landmark legislation recognizes the rights of indigenous cultural communities to their ancestral domains, self-governance, cultural integrity, and free and prior informed consent over development projects affecting their lands. The celebration emphasizes gratitude for the bountiful harvest and the preservation of indigenous knowledge systems and practices.
History
The recognition of indigenous peoples' rights in the Philippines gained significant momentum after the 1987 Constitution recognized the rights of indigenous cultural communities. This culminated in the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997, which established the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to protect and promote indigenous rights. In 2009, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued Proclamation No. 1906, designating October as National Indigenous Peoples Month and October 29 as Indigenous Peoples Thanksgiving Day. The date was chosen to coincide with the harvest season, when many indigenous communities traditionally hold thanksgiving rituals for their crops. The celebration draws from pre-colonial indigenous traditions of communal feasting and gratitude, particularly the various harvest festivals held by different ethnic groups such as the Igorot's Begnas and the Manobo's Kaliga. The day also serves to counteract centuries of marginalization, which began during Spanish colonization and continued through American rule and into the modern era.
How It's Celebrated
Indigenous Peoples Thanksgiving Day is celebrated with cultural presentations, traditional dances, and ritual ceremonies across the Philippines. Indigenous communities wear their traditional attire and display handicrafts, textiles, and agricultural products. The NCIP organizes events including forums on indigenous rights, cultural competitions, and trade fairs. School children learn about indigenous cultures through special programs. Elders lead traditional thanksgiving rituals involving prayers, offerings, and communal feasting. In urban areas, cultural shows and exhibits showcase indigenous music, art, and cuisine. Government agencies and non-government organizations use the day to renew commitments to protecting ancestral domains and promoting indigenous welfare.