The Royal Mandaya Hotel

The Mandaya, meaning people of the highlands, are of Indo-Malay stock, in 1609, these Lumads or Natives welcomed early lowland settlers to the town of Cateel, belonging to what was then the Caraga province. In a village named Lukatan, visitors saw the Manday's animated world music, art and livelihood. The Bagani, or warriors and the Babaylan or priestesses displayed prowess in rhythm by way of the Bayok-a solo musical performance, with the Suding, a juice harp, the Kudlong, a two-stringed guitar, and the Bulabon, a flute as accompaniment. The weavers known as Tamaling created works of art with the Dagmay, a dyed abaca fabric depicting images of the human figures, crocodiles or lizards, flower or plant. Hunting livelihood was aided by the use of Sumpitan or blowpipe, Bus-og, a bow and arrow, and lit-ag, atrap. Among these facets, the Kalag, which is the spirit or soul of the Mandaya, remain unimpaired; and their Kamalig, a house of bounty and spiritual powers, undamaged.

  Through the decades, the Mandaya has witnessed the never-ending continuum of changes. Constant adaptation to the modifying times delivered this Ethnic culture unto the reality of modern setting. The richness of the unspoiled living is epitomized by a new landmark in the city.

http://www.theroyalmandayahotel.com/about-us/