History of Davao

The name Davao was probably derived from the Bagobo word "Daba-daba" which means "fire." The early Jesuit priests refered to this place as a region of flames or fire as recorded in their early books. Many natives, however, believe that the name Davao was derived from the great river which the early Tagabawa tribe refered to as Dabu.

During the ancient times, Davao has already been a place of different tribes and ethnic groups coming from different regions of the Philippines and people in the nearby countries of Malaysia, Indonesia and Borneo. The native tribes that comprise the majority group of ethnic tribes in Davao during the early times were the Bagobos, Bilaans, Guiangans, Tagacaolos, Manobos, Mandayas, Mansakas and Atas. The early Muslim Maguindanaons, who were traders and merchants, also came to this place to do business.

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