Welcome to Davao City in Davao, and welcome to Anthro on Foot's walking tour! This is a self-paced
walking
tour that features key heritage sites and cultural highlights in the area. We hope you enjoy this tour
as much as
we enjoyed curating it!
The history of Davao City is rich and diverse, encompassing various periods of indigenous cultures,
Spanish and American colonization, and eventual urbanization.
Davao City's history predates the arrival of the Spanish colonizers. The area was inhabited by
indigenous peoples, such as the Bagobos, Manobos, and Mandayas. Each group has its own distinct
culture, language, and traditional practices.
In 1848, Davao was officially proclaimed a municipality. The Spanish influence, however, remained
limited compared to other parts of the Philippines.
After the Spanish-American War in 1898, the Americans took control of the Philippines. During this
era, Davao experienced increased migration and economic activities.
The Americans introduced plantations, and Davao became a significant producer of abaca, coconut,
and other agricultural products.